Direct current power pooling

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a DC power pooling system comprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities having at least a first operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than it provides; DC electrical power interconnections, interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least one pooling controller operative to vary at least one of voltage, output impedance and current of electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from, and is a continuation of,PCT patent application No. PCT/IL03/00832 filed Oct. 14, 2003, whichclaims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/418,599filed Oct. 15, 2002, whose entire contents are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of powering a systemcomprising multiple components, and in particular to a system andentities for DC power pooling.

Systems comprising multiple modules, such as communication systems,commonly comprise modules having on-board power supplies that areconnected to a common mains. In order to provide uninterrupted operationof the system, including during failure of power mains, systems oftencomprise a back-up power supply, such as an uninterruptible power supply(UPS), which during a power interrupt functions to supply AC power toeach of modules in the system.

The combination of modules each comprising an on-board power supplyoften leads to a less than optimum situation, in which the on-boardpower supply of some modules are operating at low utilization, while theon-board power supply of other modules are approaching or have reachedmaximum utilization. Power supply longevity is at least partially afunction of the utilization rate, in which typically a highly utilizedpower supply begins to increase in temperature. This increase intemperature leads to a shortened life for the power supply.

Certain modules, for example an Ethernet switch having power overEthernet functionality, may have a need for additional power above thatavailable from the on-board power supply. Prior art systems require adedicated additional power supply to be added as a module, feeding theadditional required power. Such a dedicated additional power supply isrequired despite the on-board power supply of other modules in thesystem being at low utilization, thus having spare power available.Furthermore, in prior art systems, a dedicated additional power supplywill typically be initially underutilized, and will only experienceoptimum utilization as the system power needs grow. This underutilizeddedicated additional power supply is thus unavailable in the event thatone of the other modules in the system has reached maximum utilizationof its on-board power supply.

In the event that one of the modules in the system experiences anon-board power supply failure, the prior art further does not teach anarrangement for supplying power to the module in place of the localpower supply. Furthermore, the prior art does not teach an arrangementin which the utilization of local power supplies is optimized.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,448 issued to Schwan et al. discloses a method andapparatus of powering components on a network by using a load-sharetechnique and by using over-voltage and current limiting circuitry.Under normal operation of the power subsystem, the load will be powereddirectly from the power subsystem. Unfortunately, no means ofoptimization of overall network power is described.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,670 issued to Linde discloses a fault tolerant powersupply system including a plurality of nodes coupled to a common powerdistribution bus. Under normal operation of the power subsystem, theload will be powered directly from the power subsystem, and excess poweris available to be supplied to the bus. Upon failure of the local powersupply, bus power is supplied under certain conditions. No means ofoptimization of overall network power is described, and no means ofcentralized control of individual local power supplies exist.

IEEE 1394 specification, “IEEE Standard for a High Performance SerialBus”, IEEE Std 1394–1995, Aug. 30, 1996, describes a high speed serialbus that includes the capability for sourcing power from one “node” toanother over a power bus coupling the nodes. This power sourcingcapability introduces potential complexities into the process ofconfiguring the power source/sink relationships between a set of nodesor systems, such as those coupled by a 1394 specification compliant bus.For example, at any given time, one node should be providing or sourcingpower and the remaining nodes should either consume power as a powersink, power themselves, or act as a power “conduit” distributing powerfrom the power source to nodes coupled to the power distribution bus orcable (but not directly coupled to the power source). Such a layout doesnot teach an arrangement or a means allowing for optimization of overallnetwork power.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,484 issued to Cruz describes an electronicallyconfigurable physical arrangement of power transistors. The arrangementis configurable under externally derived electrical signals to: sinkpower to a node from a power bus segment; source power from the node toa power bus segment; and distribute power through the node. Such anarrangement allows flexibility and power sharing, however it does notoptimize overall network power.

There is therefore a need for an arrangement in which the utilization oflocal power supplies is optimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toovercome the disadvantages of prior art arrangements. This is providedin the present invention by a system of power pooling of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities being interconnected to poolpower under control of a pooling controller.

The invention provides for a DC power pooling system comprising: aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, eachof the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitieshaving at least a first operative mode in which it may provide moreelectrical power than it consumes and a second operative mode in whichit may consume more electrical power than it provides; DC electricalpower interconnections, interconnecting the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities and permitting electrical powerflow thereto and therefrom; and at least one pooling controlleroperative to vary at least one of voltage, output impedance and currentof electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling systemcomprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides; electrical power interconnections, interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities andpermitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least onedynamic closed loop pooling controller operative to govern electricalpower provided by at least one of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power system comprising:a plurality of DC electrical power consuming entities, each of theplurality of electrical power consuming entities including at least oneelectrical power source receiving AC mains power and at least oneelectrical power load consuming DC power; at least one centralized DCbackup power source; DC electrical power interconnections,interconnecting the plurality of electrical power consuming entities andthe at least one DC backup power source; and at least one backupcontroller operative to control supply of electrical power from the atleast one centralized DC backup power source to the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling systemcomprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides; electrical power interconnections, interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities andpermitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least oneoptimization driven pooling controller operative to govern interchangeof electrical power between the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, providing optimization of at least oneof temperature, electrical load and percentage of available power beingsupplied of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling systemcomprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides; electrical power interconnections, interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities andpermitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least onepriority driven pooling controller operative to govern interchange ofelectrical power between the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities, operative in accordance with predeterminedpriorities relating to at least one of temperature, electrical load andpercentage of available power being supplied of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling systemcomprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides; electrical power interconnections, interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities andpermitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least onepriority driven pooling controller operative to govern interchange ofelectrical power between the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities, operative in accordance with predeterminedpriorities relating to individual ones of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling systemcomprising: a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides; electrical power interconnections, interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities andpermitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least onecontroller in data communication with the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities and being operative to employ thecommunication to govern electrical power provided by at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power pooling system foran Ethernet network comprising: a plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing Ethernet nodes, each of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes having at leasta first operative mode in which it may provide more electrical powerthan it consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consumemore electrical power than it provides; electrical powerinterconnections, interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing Ethernet nodes and permitting electrical powerflow thereto and therefrom; and at least one controller in datacommunication with the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding Ethernet nodes and being operative to employ the communicationto govern electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes.

For each of the above independent inventions, in one embodiment each ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprises at least one DC electricalpower source and at least one electrical power load. In one furtherembodiment, the DC electrical power source receives AC mains power andconverts the AC mains power to DC electrical power.

In another further embodiment of each of the above independentinventions, each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, further comprisesat least one power sharing circuit associated with the at least one DCelectrical power source, the at least one power sharing circuit beingresponsive to an output of the at least one controller to vary the atleast one of voltage, output impedance and current of electrical powerprovided by the at least one DC electrical power source. In one yetfurther embodiment, the at least one DC electrical power sourcecomprises a power supply controller, and wherein the at least one powersharing circuit is operable to modify the operation of the power supplycontroller. In another yet further embodiment, the power sharing circuitcomprises a temperature sensor having a temperature indicating output,the at least one power sharing circuit being operable to communicateinformation regarding the temperature indicating output to the at leastone controller.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thecontroller receives for each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively,information relating to DC electrical power needs and DC electricalpower providing capabilities.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, in whicheach of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprises at least one DCelectrical power source and at least one electrical power load, thecontroller receives at least one of power needs of the at least oneelectrical power load and power providing capabilities of the at leastone DC electrical power source.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thesystem further comprises a supply interface unit associated with atleast one of the DC electrical power interconnections, the supplyinterface unit being responsive to an output of the at least onecontroller to control the electrical power flow. In one furtherembodiment, the supply interface unit comprises at least one adjustablecurrent limiter responsive to an output of the at least one controller,the at least one adjustable current limiter being operative for limitingat least one of the electrical power flow to at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively, and from at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities or Ethernet nodes,respectively. In another further embodiment, the supply interface unitcomprises at least one current sensor, the at least one current sensorbeing operative for sensing at least one of the electrical power flow toat least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, and from at leastone of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively. In one further embodiment,the supply interface unit comprises a telemetry output operable tocommunicate with the at least one controller, the telemetry outputcomprising information regarding at least one of direction and extent ofelectrical power flow.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, at leastone of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprises a temperaturesensor having a temperature indicating output, wherein the at least oneof the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, communicates informationregarding the temperature indicating output to the at least onecontroller.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, at leastone of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprises at least one of amodem, a switch, a switch providing power over Ethernet and operating inaccordance with IEEE 802.3af Standard, an Internet Protocol telephone, acomputer, a server, a camera, an access controller, a smoke sensor, awireless access point and a battery pack module.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thesystem further comprises an overcurrent protection circuit associatedwith at least one of the DC electrical power interconnections. In afurther embodiment the overcurrent protection circuit comprises at leastone of a fuse and a circuit breaker operative to prevent excess powerflow.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thesystem further comprises a power supply module interconnected with atleast one of the DC electrical power interconnections, the power supplymodule being operative to supply power to at least one of the pluralityof DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernetnodes, respectively, when the at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, is operative in the second mode.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thesystem further comprises a power supply module interconnected with atleast one of the DC electrical power interconnections, and wherein thepower supply module is operative in response to an output of the atleast one controller to supply power to at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, when the at least one of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively,is operative in the second mode.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, thesystem further comprises a battery pack module interconnected with atleast one of the DC electrical power interconnections, and wherein thebattery pack module supplies power to at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, when the at least one of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively,is operative in the second mode.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions atleast one of the DC electrical power interconnections are arranged inone of a hierarchical star topology and a hierarchical ring topology.

Another independent aspect of the invention provides for a method of DCpower pooling comprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, each of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities having at least a first operativemode in which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes anda second operative mode in which it may consume more electrical powerthan it provides; providing at least one pooling controller;interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities thereby permitting electrical power flow thereto andtherefrom; and varying at least one of voltage, output impedance andcurrent of electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities in response to anoutput of the at least one pooling controller thereby enabling DC powerpooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingcomprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides; providing at least one dynamic closed loop poolingcontroller; interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities thereby permitting electrical powerflow thereto and therefrom; and governing electrical power provided byat least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities in response to an output of the at least one dynamicclosed loop pooling controller thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of centralized DCbackup comprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming having at least one DC electrical power source receiving ACmains power; providing at least one centralized DC backup power source;providing at least one backup controller; interconnecting the pluralityof DC electrical power consuming entities and the at least onecentralized DC backup power source; and supplying DC electrical powerfrom the at least one centralized DC backup power source to at least oneof the DC electrical power consuming entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingcomprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides; providing at least one optimization driven poolingcontroller; interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities thereby permitting interchangeelectrical power thereto and therefrom; and governing the interchange ofelectrical power in response to an output of the at least oneoptimization driven pooling controller, providing optimization of atleast one of temperature, electrical load and percentage of availablepower being supplied, thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingcomprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides; providing at least one priority driven pooling controller;

interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities thereby permitting interchange electrical powerthereto and therefrom; and governing the interchange of electrical powerin response to an output of the at least one priority driven poolingcontroller in accordance with predetermined priorities relating to atleast one of temperature, electrical load and percentage of availablepower being supplied of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities, thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingcomprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides; providing at least one priority driven pooling controller;

interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities thereby permitting interchange electrical powerthereto and therefrom; and governing the interchange of electrical powerin response to an output of the at least one priority driven poolingcontroller in accordance with predetermined priorities relating toindividual ones of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingcomprising: providing a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides; providing at least one controller; interconnecting theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiesthereby permitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; andgoverning electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities in response to anoutput of the at least one controller, thereby enabling DC powerpooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a plurality of nodes of an Ethernet network comprising: providing aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes,each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingEthernet nodes having at least a first operative mode in which it mayprovide more electrical power than it consumes and a second operativemode in which it may consume more electrical power than it provides;providing at least one controller in data communication with theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes;interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding Ethernet nodes thereby permitting interchange electrical powerthereto and therefrom; and governing the interchange of electrical powerin response to an output of the at least one controller, therebyenabling DC power pooling.

For each of the above independent inventions, in one embodiment each ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiescomprises at least one DC electrical power source and at least oneelectrical power load. One further embodiment comprises receiving ACmains power by the each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively;converting the AC mains power to DC power; and providing the DC power tothe at least one electrical power load located in the each of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively. Another further embodiment comprisesproviding at least one power sharing circuit associated with the atleast one DC electrical power source, and wherein the varying isaccomplished by the at least one power sharing circuit. In a yet furtherembodiment the at least one DC electrical power source comprises a powersupply controller, and wherein the varying is accomplished by modifyingthe operation of the power supply controller.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: receiving for each of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities information relatingto DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities, wherein the varying is accomplished at least partially inresponse to the received information.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventionswherein each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprise at leastone DC electrical power source and at least one electrical load, themethod further comprises: receiving by the controller at least one ofpower needs of the at least one electrical power load and powerproviding capabilities of the at least one DC electrical power source.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: providing a supply interface unit associatedwith at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively; and controlling theelectrical power flow in response to an output of the at least onecontroller. In one further embodiment the method comprises sensing atemperature of the at least one DC electrical power source;communicating information relating to the sensed temperature to the atleast one controller. In another further embodiment, the controllingcomprises: limiting at least one of the electrical power flow to atleast one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities and from at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities. In another furtherembodiment the method further comprises:

sensing at least one of the electrical power flow to at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power and consuming entities, or Ethernetnodes, respectively, and from at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power and consuming entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively. In a yet further embodiment the method comprises:

communicating information relating to at least one of direction andamount of electrical power flow sensed by the sensing to the at leastone controller.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: sensing a temperature of at least one theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities; and

communicating information relating to the sensed temperature to the atleast one pooling controller.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions atleast one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively, comprises at leastone of a modem, a switch, a switch providing power over Ethernet andoperating in accordance with IEEE 802.3af Standard, an Internet Protocoltelephone, a computer, a server, a camera, an access controller, a smokesensor, a wireless access point and a battery pack module.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: protecting at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, against excess electrical power flow. In a furtherembodiment the protecting comprises: providing at least one of a fuseand a circuit breaker operative to prevent excess electrical power flow.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions themethod further comprises: providing a power supply module;interconnecting the power supply module with the interconnectedplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively; and

supplying power from the power supply module to at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities orEthernet nodes, respectively, when the at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities or Ethernet nodes,respectively, is operative in the second mode.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: providing a power supply module;interconnecting the power supply module with the interconnectedplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively; and

supplying power from the power supply module in response to an output ofthe at least one controller to at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, when the at least one of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes, respectively,is operative in the second mode.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: providing a battery pack module;interconnecting the battery pack module with the interconnectedplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively; and

supplying power from the battery pack module to at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet nodes, respectively, when the at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities, or Ethernet nodes,respectively, is operative in the second mode.

In another embodiment of each of the above independent inventions theinterconnecting is done in at least one of a hierarchical star topologyand a hierarchical ring topology.

Independently, the invention provides for a power bus for a DC powerpooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the power bus comprising: at leastone pooling controller operative to vary at least one of voltage, outputimpedance and current of electrical power provided by at least one ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities;and DC electrical power interconnections interconnecting the pluralityof DC electrical power consuming and providing entities and permittingelectrical power flow thereto and therefrom.

Independently, the invention provides for a power bus for a DC powerpooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the power bus comprising: at leastone dynamic closed loop pooling controller operative to governelectrical power provided by at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities; and electrical powerinterconnections interconnecting the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power backup systemcomprising a plurality of electrical power consuming entities, each ofthe electrical power consuming entities including at least oneelectrical power source receiving AC mains power and at least oneelectrical power load consuming DC power, the DC power backup systemcomprising: at least one centralized DC backup power source for backingup the plurality of electrical power consuming entities; a plurality ofDC electrical power interconnections interconnecting the plurality ofelectrical power consuming entities and the at least one DC backup powersource; and at least one backup controller operative to control supplyof electrical power from the at least one centralized DC backup powersource to the plurality of electrical power consuming entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a power bus for a DC powerpooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the power bus comprising: at leastone optimization driven pooling controller operative to governinterchange of electrical power between the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities, providing optimization of atleast one of temperature, electrical load and percentage of availablepower being supplied of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities; and electrical power interconnectionsinterconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities and permitting electrical power flow thereto andtherefrom.

Independently, the invention provides for a power bus for a DC powerpooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the power bus comprising: at leastone priority driven pooling controller operative to govern interchangeof electrical power between the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, operative in accordance withpredetermined priorities relating to at least one of temperature,electrical load and percentage of available power being supplied of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities; andelectrical power interconnections interconnecting the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities and permittingelectrical power flow thereto and therefrom.

Independently, the invention provides for a power bus for a DC powerpooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the power bus comprising: at leastone priority driven pooling controller operative to govern interchangeof electrical power between the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, operative in accordance withpredetermined priorities relating to individual ones of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities; and electricalpower interconnections interconnecting the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities and permitting electrical powerflow thereto and therefrom.

For each of the above independent inventions, in one embodiment thecontroller receives for at least one of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities information relating to DCelectrical power needs and DC electrical power providing capabilities.In another embodiment, the power bus further comprises a supplyinterface unit associated with at least one of the DC electrical powerinterconnections, the supply interface unit being responsive to anoutput of the at least one pooling controller to control the electricalpower flow. In one further embodiment the supply interface unitcomprises at least one adjustable current limiter responsive to anoutput of the at least one pooling controller, the at least oneadjustable current limiter being operative for limiting at least one ofthe electrical power flow to at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities and from at least oneof the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities. In another further embodiment the supply interface unitcomprises at least one current sensor, the at least one current sensorbeing operative for sensing at least one of the electrical power flow toat least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities and from at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities. In a yet furtherembodiment the supply interface unit comprises a telemetry outputoperable to communicate with the at least one controller, the telemetryoutput comprising information regarding at least one of direction andextent of electrical power flow.

For each of the above independent invention, in one embodiment thecontroller receives temperature information from at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities. Inone further embodiment the controller is operative at least partially inresponse to the received temperature information.

In another embodiment the bus further comprises a power supply moduleinterconnected with at least one of the DC electrical powerinterconnections, the power supply module being operative to supplypower to at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities when the at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities is operative in thesecond mode. In another embodiment the bus further comprises a powersupply module interconnected with at least one of the DC electricalpower interconnections, and wherein the power supply module is operativein response to an output of the at least one controller to supply powerto at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities when the at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities is operative in thesecond mode. In another embodiment the bus further comprises a batterypack module interconnected with at least one of the DC electrical powerinterconnections, the battery pack module being operative to supplypower to at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities when the at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities is operative in thesecond mode.

In another embodiment at least one of the DC electrical powerinterconnections are arranged in one of a hierarchical star topology anda hierarchical ring topology.

In another independent aspect, the invention provides for a method of DCpower pooling for a DC power pooling system comprising a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, the method comprising:

providing at least one pooling controller; providing a plurality ofinterconnections for interconnecting the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities thereby permitting electricalpower flow thereto and therefrom; and varying at least one of voltage,output impedance and current of electrical power provided by at leastone of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities in response to an output of the at least one pooling controllerthereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a system comprising a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides, the method comprising; providing at least one dynamicclosed loop pooling controller; providing interconnections for theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiesthereby permitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom; andgoverning electrical power provided by at least one of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities in response to anoutput of the at least one dynamic closed loop pooling controllerthereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of centralized DCbackup for a plurality of DC electrical power consuming entities, eachof the plurality of DC electrical power consuming having at least one DCelectrical power source receiving AC mains power, the method comprising:providing at least one centralized DC backup power source; providing atleast one backup controller; providing interconnections forinterconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming entitiesand the at least one centralized DC backup power source; and supplyingDC electrical power from the at least one centralized DC backup powersource to at least one of the DC electrical power consuming entities.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a system comprising a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides, the method comprising: providing at least one optimizationdriven pooling controller; providing interconnections forinterconnecting the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities thereby permitting interchange electrical powerthereto and therefrom; and governing the interchange of electrical powerin response to an output of the at least one optimization driven poolingcontroller, providing optimization of at least one of temperature,electrical load and percentage of available power being supplied,thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a system comprising a plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities having at least a first operative modein which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes and asecond operative mode in which it may consume more electrical power thanit provides, the method comprising: providing at least one prioritydriven pooling controller; providing interconnections interconnectingthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiesthereby permitting interchange electrical power thereto and therefrom;and governing the interchange of electrical power in response to anoutput of the at least one priority driven pooling controller inaccordance with predetermined priorities relating to at least one oftemperature, electrical load and percentage of available power beingsupplied of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, thereby enabling DC power pooling.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a system comprising providing a plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, each of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities having at least a first operativemode in which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes anda second operative mode in which it may consume more electrical powerthan it provides, the method comprising: providing at least one prioritydriven pooling controller; providing interconnections interconnectingthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiesthereby permitting interchange electrical power thereto and therefrom;and governing the interchange of electrical power in response to anoutput of the at least one priority driven pooling controller inaccordance with predetermined priorities relating to individual ones ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,thereby enabling DC power pooling.

In one embodiment of each of the above inventions, the method of DCpower pooling further comprises: receiving for each of the plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities informationrelating to DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities, wherein the varying is accomplished at least partially inresponse to the received information. In another embodiment the methodof DC power pooling further comprises: providing a supply interface unitassociated with at least one of the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities; and controlling the electrical power flow inresponse to the at least one pooling controller. In one furtherembodiment controlling comprises: limiting at least one of theelectrical power flow to at least one of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities and from at least one of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities. Inanother further embodiment the method of DC power pooling furthercomprises: sensing at least one of the electrical power flow to at leastone of the plurality of DC electrical power and consuming entities andfrom at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power and consumingentities. In another further embodiment the method comprises:communicating information relating to at least one of direction andamount of electrical power flow sensed by the sensing to the at leastone controller.

In another embodiment, the method of DC power pooling further comprises:sensing a temperature of at least one the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities; and communicating informationrelating to the sensed temperature to the at least one controller. Inanother embodiment, the method of DC power pooling further comprises:providing a power supply module; interconnecting the power supply modulewith the interconnected plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities; and supplying power from the power supply module toat least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities, when the at least one of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities is operative in thesecond mode.

In another embodiment the method of DC power pooling further comprises:providing a power supply module; interconnecting the power supply modulewith the interconnected plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities; and supplying power from the power supply module inresponse to an output of the at least one controller to at least one ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitieswhen the at least one of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities is operative in the second mode.

In yet another embodiment the method of DC power pooling furthercomprises: providing a battery pack module; interconnecting the batterypack module with the interconnected plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities; and supplying power from the batterypack module to at least one of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities when the at least one of the pluralityof DC electrical power consuming and providing entities is operative inthe second mode.

In one embodiment the interconnecting is done in at least one of ahierarchical star topology and a hierarchical ring topology.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entity operable for use in a power poolingsystem, the DC electrical power consuming and providing entitycomprising: a DC power source; an electrical load connected to the DCpower source; at least one power sharing circuit, operative to vary atleast one of voltage, output impedance and current of electrical powerprovided by the DC power source; and a DC electrical power connection tothe DC power source and the electrical load, permitting external DCelectrical power flow to and from the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entity, wherein the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entity has at least a first operative mode in which the DCpower source may provide more electrical power than is consumed by theelectrical load and a second operative mode in which the electrical loadmay consume more electrical power than is provided by the DC powersource.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entity operable for use in a power poolingsystem, the power pooling system comprising at least one poolingcontroller of the power pooling system, the DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entity comprising: a DC power source;

an electrical load connected to the DC power source; at least one powersharing circuit responsive to an output of at least one poolingcontroller of the power pooling system, the power sharing circuitcontroller being operative to govern electrical power provided by the DCpower source; and a DC electrical power connection to the DC powersource and the electrical load, permitting external DC electrical powerflow to and from the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity,wherein the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity has atleast a first operative mode in which the DC power source may providemore electrical power than is consumed by the electrical load and asecond operative mode in which the electrical load may consume moreelectrical power than is provided by the DC power source.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entity operable for use with a system having acentralized DC backup power source, the centralized DC backup powersource being responsive to a backup controller of the system, the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entity comprising: a DC powersource receiving AC mains power; a DC electrical load connected to theDC power source; a power sharing circuit operable to variably governelectrical power provided by the DC power source; and a DC electricalpower connection permitting external DC electrical power flow from theat least one centralized DC backup power source to the DC electricalload.

Independently, the invention provides for an Ethernet switch nodeproviding power over Ethernet functionality for use in a power poolingsystem comprising at least one pooling controller, the Ethernet switchnode providing power over Ethernet functionality comprising: a DC powersource; an electrical load connected to the DC power source; a powersharing circuit responsive to an output of the at least one poolingcontroller, the power sharing circuit being operative to governelectrical power provided by the DC power source; and a DC electricalpower connection to the DC power source and the electrical load,permitting external DC electrical power flow to and from the DCelectrical power consuming and providing entity, wherein the Ethernetswitch node providing power over Ethernet functionality has at least afirst operative mode in which the DC power source may provide moreelectrical power than is consumed by the electrical load and a secondoperative mode in which the electrical load may consume more electricalpower than is provided by the DC power source.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, whereinthe DC power source receives AC mains power and converts the AC mainspower to DC electrical power. In another embodiment the DC electricalpower consuming and providing entity, or Ethernet switch node,respectively, further comprises at least one power sharing circuitcontroller associated with at least one of the at least one powersharing circuit, the at least one power sharing circuit being responsiveto an output of the at least one of the at least one power sharingcircuit controller to vary the at least one of voltage, output impedanceand current of electrical power provided by the DC power source. Inanother embodiment the DC power source comprises a power supplycontroller, and wherein the at least one power sharing circuit isoperable to modify the operation of the power supply controller.

In one embodiment the at least one power sharing circuit is operable byat least one pooling controller of the power pooling system. In anotherembodiment the at least one power sharing circuit is operable totransmit to a pooling controller of the power pooling system informationrelating to DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities of the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity.In yet another embodiment the at least one power sharing circuit isoperable to transmit to a pooling controller of the power pooling systeminformation relating to at least one of power needs of the at least oneelectrical load and power providing capabilities of the at least one DCpower source. In another embodiment the at least one power sharingcircuit has an associated temperature sensor having a temperatureindicating output, the at least one power sharing circuit being operableto communicate information regarding the temperature indicating outputto at least one pooling controller of the power pooling system.

In one embodiment the DC electrical power consuming and providingentity, or Ethernet switch node, respectively, further comprises atemperature sensor having a temperature indicating output. In oneembodiment the DC electrical power consuming and providing entitycomprises at least one of a modem, a switch, a switch providing powerover Ethernet and operating in accordance with the IEEE 802.3afstandard, an Internet Protocol telephone, a computer, a server, acamera, an access controller, a smoke sensor, a wireless access pointand a battery pack module. In one embodiment the Ethernet switch nodeoperates in accordance with the IEEE 802.3af standard.

In one embodiment the DC electrical power consuming and providingentity, or Ethernet switch node, respectively, further comprises anovercurrent protection circuit associated with the DC electrical powerconnection. In a further embodiment the overcurrent protection circuitcomprises at least one of a fuse and a circuit breaker operative toprevent excess electrical power flow.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a DC electrical power consuming and providing entity in a powerpooling system comprising at least one pooling controller, the methodcomprising: providing a DC power source; providing an electrical loadassociated with the DC power source; connecting the DC power source tothe electrical load; varying at least one of voltage, output impedanceand current of electrical power provided by the DC power source; andproviding a DC electrical power connection to the DC power source andthe electrical load, thereby permitting external DC electrical powerflow to and from the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity,wherein the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity has atleast a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor a DC electrical power consuming and providing entity in a powerpooling system, the power pooling system having at least one poolingcontroller of the power pooling system, the method comprising: providinga DC power source; providing an electrical load associated with the DCpower source; connecting the DC power source to the electrical load;governing electrical power provided by the DC power source; andproviding a DC electrical power connection to the DC power source andthe electrical load, thereby permitting external DC electrical powerflow to and from the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity,wherein the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity has atleast a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of centralized DCpower backup for a DC electrical power consuming and providing entity ina system comprising a backup controller and a centralized DC backuppower source responsive to the backup controller, the method comprising:providing a DC power source; providing an electrical load associatedwith the DC power source; connecting the DC power source to theelectrical load; variably governing electrical power provided by the DCpower source; and providing an external DC electrical power connectionto the electrical load, thereby permitting external DC electrical powerflow from a centralized DC backup power source to the electrical load.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor an Ethernet switch node having power over Ethernet functionality ina power pooling system comprising at least one pooling controller, themethod comprising: providing a DC power source; providing an electricalload associated with the DC power source; connecting the DC power sourceto the electrical load; governing the electrical power provided by theDC power source; and providing a DC electrical power connection to theDC power source and the electrical load, thereby permitting external DCelectrical power flow to and from the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entity, wherein the Ethernet switch node having power overEthernet functionality has at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides.

In one embodiment of each of the above independent inventions, themethod further comprises: receiving AC mains power at each of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, orEthernet switch nodes, respectively; converting the AC mains power to DCpower; and providing the DC power to the electrical load. In anotherembodiment the method further comprises:

providing at least one power sharing circuit associated with the DCpower source, and wherein the varying is accomplished by the at leastone power sharing circuit. In yet another embodiment the at least one DCelectrical power source comprises a power supply controller, and whereinthe varying is accomplished by modifying the operation of the powersupply controller.

In one embodiment the method further comprises: transmitting to at leastone pooling controller of the power pooling system information relatingto DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities. In another embodiment the method further comprises:transmitting to at least one pooling controller of the power poolingsystem information relating to power needs of the electrical load andpower providing capabilities of the DC power source.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises: sensing a temperatureof the DC electrical power consuming and providing entity, or Ethernetswitch node, respectively; and communicating information relating to thesensed temperature to at least one pooling controller of the powerpooling system. In another embodiment the method further comprises:sensing a temperature of the DC power source; and communicatinginformation relating to the sensed temperature to at least one poolingcontroller, or backup controller, respectively of the power poolingsystem.

In another embodiment the method of DC power pooling further comprises:communicating information relating to percentage of available powerbeing supplied of the DC power source to at least one pooling controllerof the power pooling system.

In one embodiment at least one of the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entity comprises at least one of a modem, a switch, a switchproviding power over Ethernet and operating in accordance with IEEE802.3af Standard, an Internet Protocol telephone, a computer, a server,a camera, an access controller, a smoke sensor, a wireless access pointand a battery pack module.

In another embodiment the method further comprises: protecting the DCelectrical consuming and providing entity against excess power flow.

Independently, the invention provides for a system having a powerpooling power arrangement among and between a plurality of nodes,comprising: a power bus; a pooling controller; a plurality of nodes,each node having a DC power source and an electrical load, each of theplurality of nodes having an individual address, being addressable bythe pooling controller, and each of the plurality of nodes being furtherassigned to at least one group of the plurality of nodes, the at leastone group of the plurality of nodes being addressable by the poolingcontroller by at least one group address, whereby each of the pluralityof nodes may be addressed by the pooling controller individually andalternatively as part of the at least one group address, and whereineach of the nodes having a plurality of operating modes the modes beingassigned by the pooling controller.

In one embodiment the at least one group address is operable to set theplurality of nodes assigned to the at least one group address to one ofthe plurality of operating modes. In one further embodiment the one ofthe plurality of operating modes comprises a reduced power need of theelectrical load of the plurality of nodes assigned to the at least onegroup address. In another further embodiment the one of the plurality ofoperating modes comprises an increased output of the DC power source ofthe plurality of nodes assigned to the at least one group address.

In one embodiment each of the plurality of nodes is operable to notifythe pooling controller of a failure of the DC power source of the node.In one further embodiment the failure mode comprises a rise intemperature above a predetermined level. In a still further embodimentthe pooling controller addresses the plurality of nodes as a groupaddress in response to the high temperature notification. In anotherfurther embodiment the pooling controller addresses the plurality ofnodes as a group address in response to the failure notification. In astill further embodiment the plurality of nodes enters at least one of areduced load power need mode and an increased power output mode inresponse to the group address. In another further embodiment theplurality of nodes enters at least one of a reduced load power need modeand an increased power output mode in response to the group address.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of power poolingpower among and between a plurality of nodes, comprising: providing apooling controller; providing a plurality of nodes, each node having aDC power source and an electrical load; assigning an individual addressto each of the plurality of nodes; assigning at least one group addressto a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes being addressablealternatively by the assigned individual address and the assigned atleast one group address; operating at least one of the nodes in at leastone of a plurality of operating modes, the operating modes beingassigned by the pooling controller utilizing at least one of theindividual address and the at least one group address.

In one embodiment the operating at least one node comprises: operating aplurality of nodes in a pre-assigned operating mode in response to thepooling controller utilizing the group address. In one furtherembodiment the operating a plurality of nodes in pre-assigned operatingmode comprises: reducing the power need of the electrical load of thenode. In another further embodiment the operating a plurality of nodesin a pre-assigned operating mode comprises: increasing the output of theDC power source.

In another embodiment the method further comprises notifying the poolingcontroller of a failure mode of a DC power source of at least one of theplurality of nodes. In one further embodiment the failure mode comprisesa rise in temperature above a predetermined level. In another furtherembodiment the operating at least one node comprises: operating aplurality of nodes in at least one pre-assigned operating mode inresponse to the pooling controller utilizing the group address inresponse to the failure notification. In another further embodiment theoperating at least one node comprises: operating a plurality of nodes inat least one pre-assigned operating mode in response to the poolingcontroller utilizing the group address in response to the failurenotification. In another further embodiment the pre-assigned operatingnode comprises at least one of a reduced load power need mode and anincreased power output mode in response to the group address. In yetanother further embodiment the pre-assigned operating mode comprises atleast one of a reduced load power need mode and an increased poweroutput mode in response to the group address.

Independently, the invention provides for a DC power supply for use in aDC power pooling system, the DC power pooling system comprising aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, eachof the DC electrical power consuming and providing entities having atleast a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides, and at least one poolingcontroller, the DC power supply comprising: at least one DC electricalpower source; and at least one power sharing circuit being responsive toan output of at least one pooling controller of the DC power poolingsystem to vary at least one of voltage, output impedance and current ofelectrical power provided by the at least one DC electrical powersource.

In one embodiment the at least one DC electrical power source comprisesa converter, operable to convert AC mains power to DC electrical power.In another embodiment the at least one DC electrical power sourcecomprises a power source controller, and wherein the at least one powersharing circuit is operable to modify the operation of the power supplycontroller. In yet another embodiment the at least one power sharingcircuit is operable to change the voltage to current relationship of theat least one DC electrical power source.

In one embodiment the at least one power sharing circuit is operable tochange the voltage to current relationship of the at least one DCelectrical power source, thereby affecting the Droop parameters of theat least one DC electrical power source. In another embodiment the atleast one power sharing circuit is internal to at least one of the atleast one DC electrical power source. In yet another embodiment the atleast one power sharing circuit is external to at least one of the atleast one DC electrical power source.

In one embodiment the DC power supply further comprises a power sharingcircuit controller, the power sharing circuit controller being operableto communicate with at least one pooling controller of the DC powerpooling system. In a further embodiment the controller is external tothe at least one power sharing circuit. In another embodiment the atleast one power sharing circuit further comprises a current share bus,the at least one power sharing circuit being further responsive to thepower share bus to vary the at least one of voltage, output impedanceand current of electrical power provided by the at least one DCelectrical power source.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of DC power poolingfor use in a DC power pooling system, the DC power pooling systemcomprising a plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities, each of the DC electrical power consuming and providingentities having at least a first operative mode in which it may providemore electrical power than it consumes and a second operative mode inwhich it may consume more electrical power than it provides, and atleast one pooling controller, the method of DC power pooling comprising:supplying at least one DC electrical power source; and varying at leastone of voltage, output impedance and current of electrical powerprovided by the at least one DC electrical power source in response tothe an output of at least one pooling controller of the DC power poolingsystem.

In one embodiment the supplying at least one DC electrical power sourcecomprises: receiving AC mains power; and converting the AC mains powerto DC electrical power. In another embodiment the varying comprises:modifying the operation of a power supply controller of the at least oneDC electrical power source. In yet another embodiment the varyingcomprises: changing the voltage to current relationship of the at leastone DC electrical power source.

In one embodiment the varying comprises: changing the voltage to currentrelationship of the at least one DC electrical power source, therebyaffecting the Droop parameters of the at least one DC electrical powersource. In another embodiment the varying is accomplished by a powersharing circuit internal to at least one of the at least one DCelectrical power source. In yet another embodiment the varying isaccomplished by a power sharing circuit external to at least one of theat least one DC electrical power source.

In one embodiment the method of DC power pooling further comprises:communicating at least one of temperature information, percentage ofavailable power being supplied, output current and voltage output of atleast one of the at least one DC electrical power source to at least onepooling controller of the DC power pooling system. In a furtherembodiment the communicating is accomplished by a controller external tothe at least one of the at least one DC electrical power source. Inanother embodiment the method of DC power pooling further comprises:providing a current share bus connected to at least one of the at leastone DC electrical power source; and varying at least one of voltage,output impedance and current of electrical power provided by the atleast one DC electrical power source in response to the current sharebus.

Independently, the invention provides for a supply interface unit foruse in a DC power pooling system, the DC power pooling system comprisinga plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,each of the DC electrical power consuming and providing entities havingat least a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides, and at least one poolingcontroller, the supply interface unit comprising: a first port and asecond port; a controller; at least one controllable switch, operable bythe controller to enable current flow from one of the first port to thesecond port and the second port to the first port; and at least onecurrent limiter, operable by the controller to limit the current flow.

In one embodiment the supply interface unit further comprises a currentsensor, the current sensor sensing at least one of amount and directionof the current flow. In a further embodiment the controller communicatesinformation relating to the sensed at least one of amount and directionof the current flow to the at least one pooling controller. In anotherembodiment the supply interface unit further comprising a voltagesensor. In a further embodiment the controller communicates informationregarding the output of the voltage sensor to the at least one poolingcontroller.

In one embodiment the controller is operable to be in data communicationwith the at least one pooling controller. In another embodiment thecontroller is operable by at least one pooling controller to control atleast one of current direction and amount of the current flow. Inanother embodiment of the supply interface unit, the current limiter isan adjustable current limiter. In a further embodiment the adjustablecurrent limiter is operable by the controller in response to the atleast one pooling controller to limit the current flow to a specifiedamount, the specified amount being supplied by the at least one poolingcontroller to the controller. In another embodiment the supply interfaceunit further comprises overcurrent protection, the overcurrentprotection comprising at least one of a fuse and a circuit breaker.

Independently, the invention provides for a method of directing andcontrolling current flow in a DC power pooling system, the DC powerpooling system comprising a plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities, each of the DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities having at least a first operative mode in which itmay provide more electrical power than it consumes and a secondoperative mode in which it may consume more electrical power than itprovides, and at least one pooling controller, the method of directingand controlling current flow comprising: supplying a first port and asecond port; switching the direction of current flow alternatively toone of the first port to the second port and the second port to thefirst port; and limiting the current flow.

In one embodiment the method of directing and controlling current flowfurther comprises: sensing at least one of amount and direction of thecurrent flow. In a further embodiment the method of directing andcontrolling current flow further comprises: communicating informationregarding the sensed at least one of amount and direction of the currentflow to the at least one pooling controller.

In one embodiment the method of directing and controlling current flowfurther comprises: sensing the voltage of at least one of the first portand the second port. In a further embodiment the method of directing andcontrolling current flow further comprises: communicating informationregarding the sensed voltage to the at least one pooling controller.

In one embodiment the switching is accomplished in response to an outputof the at least one pooling controller. In another embodiment thelimiting is accomplished in response to an output of the at least onepooling controller. In another embodiment the limiting comprises:adjustably limiting the current flow. In yet another embodiment thelimiting comprises: adjustably limiting the current flow to a specifiedamount in response to an output of the at least one pooling controller,the output of the at least one pooling controller comprising informationregarding the specified amount. In another embodiment the method ofdirecting and controlling current flow further comprises: protectingagainst excess current flow.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings, in which likenumerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention and employing a dynamic closed loopcontroller;

FIG. 3 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention and employing an optimization drivepooling controller;

FIG. 4 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention and employing a priority drivenpooling controller operative in accordance with predeterminedpriorities;

FIG. 5 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the present invention and employing a priority drivenpooling controller operative in accordance with priorities relating toindividual ones of connected entities;

FIG. 6 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention and employing a controller in datacommunication with a plurality of entities;

FIG. 7 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem for a local area network constructed and operative in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power systemcomprising at least one centralized DC backup power source constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a simplified symbolic illustration of a DC power poolingsystem for a data communication network constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a system constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a system constructedand operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 a is a simplified pictorial illustration of a system constructedand operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 b is a simplified pictorial illustration of a system constructedand operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a multiple rackmounted system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a multiple rackmounted system constructed and operative in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a multiple rackmounted system constructed and operative in accordance with stillanother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a simplified block diagram illustration of a systemconstructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are simplified block diagram illustrations of twoalternative embodiments of a system of the type shown in FIG. 17constructed and operative in a ring topology and providing powerdistribution;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are simplified block diagram illustrations of twoalternative embodiments of a system of the type shown in FIG. 17constructed and operative in a star topology and providing powerdistribution;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are simplified block diagram illustrations of twoalternative embodiments of a system of the type shown in FIG. 17constructed and operative respectively in ring and star topologies andproviding power distribution and data communication;

FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E and 21F are simplified block diagramillustrations of elements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and19B;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are simplified block diagram illustrations of portionsof elements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B and shown inFIGS. 21A, 21B and 21E;

FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23C are simplified block diagram illustrations ofelements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, which arealternatives to those illustrated in FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21E,respectively;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are simplified block diagram illustrations ofalternative elements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19Bcorresponding to FIGS. 23A and 23B, and FIG. 23C, respectively;

FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C are simplified schematic illustrations ofalternative elements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19Bcorresponding to FIGS. 22A and 22B;

FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C are illustrations of voltage/currentrelationships useful in understanding the operation of the circuitry ofFIGS. 25A–25C;

FIGS. 27A, 27B and 27C are simplified schematic illustrations ofalternative elements in the system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19Bcorresponding to FIGS. 24A and 24B;

FIG. 27D is a high level block diagram of an embodiment of thecontroller of FIGS. 25A–25C and FIGS. 27A–27C;

FIGS. 28A–28C are illustrations of voltage/current relationships usefulin understanding the operation of the circuitry of FIGS. 27A–27C;

FIG. 29 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the operation of acontroller governing the operation of a power spine in FIGS. 17–19B;

FIG. 30 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the initialize phase inthe operation of the controller shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the connection of a newnode in the operation of the controller shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the disconnection of anode in the operation of the controller shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the fault phase in theoperation of the controller shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 34 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the normal mode in theoperation of the controller shown in FIG. 29; and

FIG. 35 is a simplified flow chart illustrating an addressing system inaccordance with the principle of the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments enable a system of power pooling among andbetween entities having at least a first mode in which the entityprovides more DC electrical power than it consumes and a second mode inwhich the entity consumes more DC electrical power than it provides, thepower pooling system being operative to function under at least onepooling controller.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seenin FIG. 1, there is provided a DC power pooling system including aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, hereshown as disparate operating assemblies, such as a water pump 100operated by a DC electrical generator 102, a shaver 110 operated by anAC/DC wall socket converter 112 connected to AC mains power; a DCrefrigerator 120 operated by a DC battery assembly 122 and a DC motoroperated sawmill 130 operated by a DC generator 132. It is appreciatedthat each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities 100 & 102, 110 & 112, 120 & 122 and 130 & 132 has atleast a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 134, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 136.

At least one pooling controller 138 is operative to vary at least one ofvoltage, output impedance and current of electrical power provided byone or more of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities.

The controller 138 receives from the entities which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each entity. Inpractical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC power providingcapability and the needs of each entity are its DC power needs. Thus,for the entity including the water pump 100 and the generator 102, thecapability is the maximum KW output of the generator 102 and the needsare KW power currently needed by the pump. For the entity including theshaver 110 and the AC/DC wall socket, the capability is the maximumwattage output of the wall socket and the needs are power currentlyneeded by the shaver. Alternatively, controller 138 may receive from theentities which it controls at least two datum selected from among thegroup consisting of the current DC electrical power consuming needs, thecurrent DC electrical power providing abilities and the current DCexcess providing ability or shortfall.

The controller 138, based on predetermined or programmable criteria,governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each of theelectrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power. Thus it is appreciated that thecontroller 138 effects power pooling of the power supply resources ofthe entities which it controls and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 1 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby to provide the controller with current data regardingboth the needs and the capabilities of the controlled entities and toprovide control instructions to the power sources of such entities.These control instructions, which may be provided along the powerconnections or along dedicated communication lines or other paths mayvary one or more of voltage V, output impedance Z and current I ofelectrical power provided by the various DC power sources.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.As seen in FIG. 2, there is provided a DC power pooling system includinga plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,here shown as disparate operating assemblies of a somewhat imaginarymotor vehicle, such as a vehicle computer 200 associated with a backupbattery assembly 202, a vehicle audio/visual system 210 associated witha backup battery assembly 212; a vehicle alarm 220 associated with abackup battery assembly 222 and a power window drive assembly 230associated with a backup battery assembly 232. It is appreciated thateach of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities 200 & 202, 210 & 212, 220 & 222 and 230 & 232 has at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 234, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 236.

At least one dynamic closed loop pooling controller 238 is operative tovary at least one of voltage, output impedance and current of electricalpower provided by one or more of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities.

The dynamic closed loop pooling controller 238 receives from theentities which it controls information at least as to the initialcapabilities and needs of each entity. Additionally controller 238receives real time feedback information as to the performance of thevarious entities. This feedback may be in one or more of many possibleforms and preferably reflects actual power consumption by each of thecontrolled entities. A preferred metric of feedback is currentconsumption by each of the entities. Another preferred metric is thetemperature of the entities.

In practical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC powerproviding capability and the needs of each entity are its DC powerneeds. Thus, for the entity including the vehicle computer 200 and thebackup battery assembly 202, the capability is the maximum wattageoutput of the backup battery assembly 202 and the needs are wattagecurrently needed by the computer. For the entity including power windowdrive assembly 230 and backup battery assembly 232, the capability isthe maximum wattage of the backup battery assembly 232 and the needs arepower currently needed by the power window drive assembly 230.

Typical feedback supplied to controller 238 from power window driveassembly 230 is the current draw, which varies greatly depending onwhether the window drives are operated and whether the windows are beingopened or closed.

The controller 238, based on predetermined or programmable criteria, andbased on the real time feedback received thereby from the variousentities, governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each ofthe electrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power. Thus it is appreciated that thecontroller 238 effects power pooling of the power supply resources ofthe entities which it controls, and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 2 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby to provide the controller with current feedback dataregarding both the current needs and the capabilities of the controlledentities and their performance and to provide control instructions tothe power sources of such entities. These control instructions, whichmay be provided along the power connections or along dedicatedcommunication lines or other paths govern electrical power provided byat least one of the DC electrical power consuming and providingentities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.As seen in FIG. 3, there is provided a DC power pooling system includinga plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,here shown as disparate functional equipment located in disparate roomsof a hospital, such as x-ray diagnostic equipment 300 powered by an ACmains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 302, operating room equipment 310powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 312; hospitalkitchen equipment 320 powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC powerrectifier 322 and birthing room equipment 330 powered by an AC mainssupplied AC/DC power rectifier 332. It is appreciated that each of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities 300 &302, 310 & 312, 320 & 322 and 330 & 332 has at least a first operativemode in which it may provide more electrical power than it consumes anda second operative mode in which it may consume more electrical powerthan it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 334, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 336.

At least one optimization driven pooling controller 338 is operative tovary at least one of voltage, output impedance and current of electricalpower provided by one or more of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities.

The optimization driven pooling controller 338 receives from theentities which it controls information at least as to the initialcapabilities and needs of each entity. Additionally controller 338receives real time feedback information as to the performance andutilization of the various entities. This feedback may be in one or moreof many possible forms and preferably reflects actual power consumptionby each of the controlled entities. A preferred metric of feedback iscurrent consumption by each of the entities. A second preferred metricof feedback is percentage of utilization.

In practical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC powerproviding capability and the needs of each entity are its DC powerneeds. Thus, for the entity including the x-ray diagnostic equipment 300and AC mains supplied AD/DC power rectifier 302, the capability is themaximum wattage output of the AC mains supplied AD/DC power rectifier302 and the needs are wattage currently needed by the x-ray diagnosticequipment 300.

The controller 338, based on predetermined or programmable criteria, andbased on the real time feedback received thereby from the variousentities, governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each ofthe electrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power based on predetermined or programmablepriority. It is appreciated that birthing room equipment 330 is of ahigher priority than hospital kitchen equipment 320, which can accept apower outage for a short period of time. Furthermore, a demand forbirthing room equipment 330 can not be delayed, and thus has a higherpriority than x-ray diagnostic equipment 300. The priority of operatingroom equipment 310 varies in time, being of high priority during anactual operation, and being of lower priority when the operating room isnot utilized. The use of x-ray diagnostic equipment 300 is typically arevenue enhancing service, and therefore optimization of its use, at ornear its maximum capacity is desirable by proper scheduling of both theuse of, and power delivery to, each of entities 300 & 302, 310 & 312,320 & 322 and 330 & 332. Thus it is appreciated that the controller 338effects optimization driven power pooling of the power supply resourcesof the entities which it controls and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities. Furthermore, controller 338 optimizes use of thehospital equipment by scheduling the use of each of entities 300 & 302,310 & 312, 320 & 322 and 330 & 332.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 3 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby to provide the controller with current feedback dataregarding both the current needs and the capabilities of the controlledentities and their performance and to provide control instructions tothe power sources of such entities. These control instructions, whichmay be provided along the power connections or along dedicatedcommunication lines or other paths govern interchange of electricalpower between the plurality of DC electrical consuming and providingentities, and provide optimization of at least one of temperature,electrical load and percentage of available power being supplied of theplurality of DC electrical consuming and providing entities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.As seen in FIG. 4, there is provided a DC power pooling system includinga plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,here shown as disparate functional heating, cooling or ventilationconsumers, such as chicken coop ventilators 400 powered by an AC mainssupplied AC/DC power rectifier 402, hot house ventilators 410 powered byan AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 412; sauna room equipment 420powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 422 and industrialrefrigerator 430 powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier432. It is appreciated that each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities 400 & 402, 410 & 412, 420 & 422 and 430& 432 has at least a first operative mode in which it may provide moreelectrical power than it consumes and a second operative mode in whichit may consume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 434, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 436.

At least one priority driven pooling controller 438 is operative inaccordance with predetermined priorities relating to at least one oftemperature, electrical load and percentage of available power beingsupplied of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities to vary at least one of voltage, output impedance and currentof electrical power provided by one or more of the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities.

The priority driven pooling controller 438 receives from the entitieswhich it controls information at least as to the initial capabilitiesand needs of each entity. Additionally priority driven poolingcontroller 438 receives real time feedback information as to theperformance and utilization of the various entities. This feedback maybe in one or more of many possible forms and preferably reflects atleast one of temperature, electrical load and percentage of availablepower being supplied by each of the controlled entities.

In practical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC powerproviding capability and the needs of each entity are its DC powerneeds. Thus, for the entity including the chicken coop ventilatingequipment 400 and AC mains supplied AD/DC power rectifier 402, thecapability is the maximum wattage output of the AC mains supplied AD/DCpower rectifier 402 and the needs are wattage currently needed by thechicken coop ventilating equipment 400. Similarly, for the entityincluding the industrial refrigerator 430 and AC mains supplied AD/DCpower rectifier 432, the capability is the maximum wattage output of theAC mains supplied AD/DC power rectifier 432 and the needs are wattagecurrently needed by industrial refrigerator 430.

The priority driven pooling controller 438, based on predetermined orprogrammable criteria, and based on the real time feedback receivedthereby from the various entities, governs in real time the electricalpower supplied by each of the electrical power sources in each of theentities controlled by the controller. Power that is supplied by anelectrical power source of an entity which does not need all of thepower, is provided to one or more entities that do need the power basedon predetermined or programmable priority. It is appreciated thatchicken coop ventilating equipment 400 is of a higher priority thanindustrial refrigerator 430, since industrial refrigerator 430 canaccept a power outage for a short period of time. Any rise in thetemperature of chicken coop 400 will quickly result in a negativeoutcome for chickens raised in chicken coop 400. Similarly, the priorityof hothouse ventilators 410 is greater than industrial refrigerator 430,but is lower than the priority of sauna room equipment 420, since theusers of sauna room equipment 420 are relatively sensitive totemperature changes. Thus it is appreciated that the priority drivenpooling controller 438 effects power pooling of the power supplyresources of each of entities 400 & 402, 410 & 412, 420 & 422 and 430 &432 which it controls and allocates the pooled power among thoseentities, with priority being allocated according to predeterminedpriorities relating to at least one of temperature, electrical load andpercentage of available power being supplied.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 4 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby to provide the controller with current feedback dataregarding both the current needs and the capabilities of the controlledentities and their performance, particularly as it involves temperatureof the entities, and to provide control instructions to the powersources of such entities. These control instructions, which may beprovided along the power connections or along dedicated communicationlines or other paths govern interchange of electrical power between theplurality of DC electrical consuming and providing entities, operativein accordance with predetermined priorities relating to at least one oftemperature, electrical load and percentage of available power beingsupplied of the plurality of DC electrical consuming and providingentities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.As seen in FIG. 5, there is provided a DC power pooling system includinga plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities,here shown as disparate functional equipment, such as an airport controltower 500 powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 502,operating room equipment 510 powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC powerrectifier 512; individual household equipment 520 powered by an AC mainssupplied AC/DC power rectifier 522 and military radar equipment 530powered by an AC mains supplied AC/DC power rectifier 532. It isappreciated that each of the plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities 500 & 502, 510 & 512, 520 & 522 and 530 & 532 hasat least a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 534, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 536.

At least one priority driven controller 538 is operative to vary atleast one of voltage, output impedance and current of electrical powerprovided by one or more of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities in accordance with predeterminedpriorities relating to individual ones of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities.

The priority driven pooling controller 538 receives from the entitieswhich it controls information at least as to the initial capabilitiesand needs of each entity. Additionally controller 538 receives real timefeedback information as to the performance and utilization of thevarious entities. This feedback may be in one or more of many possibleforms and preferably reflects actual power consumption by each of thecontrolled entities. A preferred metric of feedback is currentconsumption by each of the entities. Another preferred metric offeedback is the current priority level requested by each of theentities.

In practical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC powerproviding capability and the needs of each entity are its DC powerneeds. Thus, for the entity including the control tower 500 and AC mainssupplied AD/DC power rectifier 502, the capability is the maximumwattage output of the AC mains supplied AD/DC power rectifier 502 andthe needs are wattage currently needed by the control tower 500.

The controller 538, based on predetermined or programmable criteria, andbased on the real time feedback received thereby from the variousentities, governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each ofthe electrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power based on predetermined or programmablepriority. It is appreciated that household 520 is of a lower priority,and that operating room 510 is of a high priority. The priority ofcontrol tower 500 may vary during the day, and the priority of militaryradar equipment 530 may vary based on perceived threats. Thus there maybe predetermined or programmable variables for priority, with thepriority levels of various entities changing over time. Thus it isappreciated that the controller 538 effects priority driven powerpooling of the power supply resources of the entities that it controlsand allocates the pooled power among those entities in accordance withpredetermined priorities relating to the individual entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 5 employscommunication between at least one priority driven controller and pluralentities controlled thereby to provide the priority driven controllerwith current feedback data regarding both the current needs and thecapabilities of the controlled entities and their performance and toprovide control instructions to the power sources of such entities.These control instructions, which may be provided along the powerconnections or along dedicated communication lines or other paths governinterchange of electrical power between the plurality of DC electricalconsuming and providing entities operative in accordance withpredetermined priorities relating to individual ones of the plurality ofDC electrical consuming and providing entities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seenin FIG. 6, there is provided a DC power pooling system including aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, hereshown as disparate operating assemblies, such as a water pump 600operated by a DC electrical generator 602, a shaver 610 operated by anAC/DC wall socket converter 612 connected to AC mains power; a DCrefrigerator 620 operated by a DC battery assembly 622 and a DC motoroperated sawmill 630 operated by a DC generator 632. It is appreciatedthat each of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities 600 & 602, 610 & 612, 620 & 622 and 630 & 632 has atleast a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 634, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 636.

At least one pooling controller 638 is operative to vary at least one ofvoltage, output impedance and current of electrical power provided byone or more of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities.

The controller 638 receives from the entities which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each entity. Inpractical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC power providingcapability and the needs of each entity are its DC power needs. Thus,for the entity including the water pump 600 and the generator 602, thecapability is the maximum KW output of the generator 602 and the needsare KW power currently needed by the pump. For the entity including theshaver 610 and the AC/DC wall socket, the capability is the maximumwattage output of the wall socket and the needs are power currentlyneeded by the shaver.

The controller 638, based on predetermined or programmable criteria,governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each of theelectrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power. Thus it is appreciated that thecontroller 638 effects power pooling of the power supply resources ofthe entities which it controls and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 6 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby over data communication path 640 to provide thecontroller with current data regarding both the needs and thecapabilities of the controlled entities and to provide controlinstructions to the power sources of such entities. These controlinstructions, which may be provided along the power connections or alongdedicated communication lines or other paths, indicated generally aspath 640, govern electrical power provided by the various DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities. Data communication path 640 isillustrated as a twisted pair data path, however this is meant by way ofillustration only and is not meant to be limiting in any way.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seenin FIG. 7, there is provided a DC power pooling system including aplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities, hereshown as disparate equipment of a machine shop, such as a saw 700operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 702 connected to AC mains power, alathe 710 operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 712 connected to AC mainspower; a grinder 720 operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 722 connectedto AC mains power and a numerically controlled milling machine 730operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 732 connected to AC mains power. Itis appreciated that each of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities 700 & 702, 710 & 712, 720 & 722 and 730& 732 has at least a first operative mode in which it may provide moreelectrical power than it consumes and a second operative mode in whichit may consume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 734, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 736.

At least one pooling controller 738 is operative to vary at least one ofvoltage, output impedance and current of electrical power provided byone or more of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities.

The pooling controller 738 receives from the entities which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each entity. Inpractical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC power providingcapability and the needs of each entity are its DC power needs. Thus,for the entity including the saw 700 and the AC/DC power rectifier 702,the capability is the maximum KW output of the AC/DC power rectifier 702and the needs are KW power currently needed by the saw 700.

The controller 738, based on predetermined or programmable criteria,governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each of theelectrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power. Thus it is appreciated that thecontroller 738 effects power pooling of the power supply resources ofthe entities which it controls and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 7 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural entitiescontrolled thereby to provide the controller with current data regardingboth the needs and the capabilities of the controlled entities and toprovide control instructions to the power sources of such entities.These control instructions, which may be provided along the powerconnections or along dedicated communication lines or other paths mayvary one or more of voltage V, output impedance Z and current I ofelectrical power provided by the various DC power sources.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system for a local area network(LAN), constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 8, there isprovided a DC power pooling system for a LAN including a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, here shown asdisparate LAN elements, nodes or modules, such as a server 800 operatedby an AC/DC switching power supply 802 connected to AC mains power, apersonal computer 810 operated by an AC/DC switching power supply 812connected to AC mains power, a printer 820 operated by an AC/DCconverter 822 connected to AC mains power and an Internet Protocoltelephone 830 operated by an AC/DC converter 832 connected to AC mainspower. It is appreciated that each of the plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities 800 & 802, 810 & 812, 820 & 822and 830 & 832 has at least a first operative mode in which it mayprovide more electrical power than it consumes and a second operativemode in which it may consume more electrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 834, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and permitting electrical power flowthereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 836.

At least one pooling controller 838 is operative to govern electricalpower provided by at least one of the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing LAN modules.

The controller 838 receives from the entities which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each entity. Inpractical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC power providingcapability and the needs of each entity are its DC power needs. Thus,for the entity including the server 800 and the AC/DC switching powersupply 802, the capability is the maximum wattage output of the AC/DCswitching power supply 802 and the needs are the wattage power currentlyneeded by the server 800. Similarly, for the entity including theprinter 820 and the AC/DC converter 822, the capability is the maximumwattage output of the AC/DC converter 822 and the needs are the wattagepower currently needed by the printer 820.

The controller 838, based on predetermined or programmable criteria,governs in real time the electrical power supplied by each of theelectrical power sources in each of the entities controlled by thecontroller. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anentity which does not need all of the power, is provided to one or moreentities that do need the power. Thus it is appreciated that thecontroller 838 effects power pooling of the power supply resources ofthe entities which it controls and allocates the pooled power amongthose entities.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 8 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural LAN modulescontrolled thereby over data communication path 840 to provide thecontroller with current data regarding both the needs and thecapabilities of the controlled LAN modules provide control instructionsto the power sources of such LAN modules. These control instructions,which may be provided along the power connections or along dedicatedcommunication lines or other paths, govern electrical power provided byat least one of the plurality of DC electrical consuming and providingLAN modules. Data communication path 840 is illustrated as a twistedpair data path, however this is meant by way of illustration only and isnot meant to be limiting in any way. Data communication path 840 may bepart of the LAN communication pathway, or a separate dedicated path,without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power system constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seenin FIG. 9, there is provided a DC power system including a plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities, here shown asdisparate operating facilities of an airport, such as a control tower900 operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 902, a radar installation 910operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 912, communication antennas 920operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 922 and terminal building equipment930 operated by an AC/DC power rectifier 932. It is appreciated thateach of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities 900 & 902, 910 & 912, 920 & 922 and 930 & 932 has at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides.

There is further provided a centralized DC backup power source 940,which in a preferred embodiment comprises a battery pack. Optionally,centralized DC backup power source 940 further comprises a charger forcharging the battery pack.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 934, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities and the centralized DC backup powersource 940, and permitting electrical power flow thereto and therefrom.The DC electrical power interconnections may include a DC bus 936.

At least one backup controller 938 is operative to control supply ofelectrical power from the centralized DC backup power source 940 to theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities. Sucha centralized DC backup source enables a single DC backup for entitiesconnected as part of the DC power system. Optionally, backup controller938 is further operable to vary at least one of voltage, outputimpedance and current of electrical power provided by one or more of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities.

The backup controller 938 receives from the entities which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each entity. Inpractical terms, the capability of each entity is its DC power providingcapability and the needs of each entity are its DC power needs. Thus,for the entity including the control tower 900 and the AC/DC powerrectifier 902, the capability is the maximum KW output of the AC/DCpower rectifier 902 and the needs are KW power currently needed by thecontrol tower 900. For the entity including the radar installation 910and the AC/DC power rectifier 912, the capability is the maximum KWoutput of the AC/DC power rectifier 912 and the needs are KW powercurrently needed by the radar installation 910.

The backup controller 938, receives information from entities requiringback up power, inter alia due to a failure of the entities AC/DCconverter, and based on predetermined or programmable criteria, governsin real time the electrical power supplied centralized DC backup powersource to each of the entities controlled by the controller. Thus it isappreciated that backup controller 938 effects the supply of electricalpower from the centralized DC backup power source to the plurality of DCelectrical power consuming entities.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a simplified symbolicillustration of a DC power pooling system for a data communicationnetwork, in particular an Ethernet network, constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seenin FIG. 10, there is provided a DC power pooling system for a datacommunication network including a plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities, here shown as disparate datacommunication Ethernet nodes, such as an Ethernet switch 950 operated byan AC/DC switching power supply 952 connected to AC mains power, a modem960 operated by an AC/DC converter 962 connected to AC mains power, arouter 970 operated by an AC/DC switching power supply 972 connected toAC mains power and an Ethernet switch with power over Ethernetfunctionality 980 operated by an AC/DC switching power supply 982connected to AC mains power. It is appreciated that each of theplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes950 & 952, 960 & 962, 970 & 972 and 980 & 982 has at least a firstoperative mode in which it may provide more electrical power than itconsumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides.

DC electrical power interconnections, here designated collectively byreference numeral 984, interconnect the plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing Ethernet nodes and permitting electrical powerflow thereto and therefrom. The DC electrical power interconnections mayinclude a DC bus 986.

At least one pooling controller 988 is operative to vary at least one ofvoltage, output impedance and current of electrical power provided byone or more of the plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding Ethernet nodes.

The controller 988 receives from the Ethernet nodes which it controlsinformation as to the capabilities and needs of each Ethernet node. Inpractical terms, the capability of each Ethernet node is its DC powerproviding capability and the needs of each entity are its DC powerneeds. Thus, for the Ethernet node including the Ethernet switch 950 andthe AC/DC switching power supply 952, the capability is the maximum KWoutput of the AC/DC switching power supply 952 and the needs are KWpower currently needed by the Ethernet switch 950. Similarly, for theEthernet node including the modem 960 and the AC/DC converter 962, thecapability is the maximum wattage output of the AC/DC converter 962 andthe needs are power currently needed by the modem 960.

The controller 988, based on predetermined or programmable criteria,governs in real time the electrical power provided by at least one ofthe plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernetnodes. Power that is supplied by an electrical power source of anEthernet node which does not need all of the power, is provided to oneor more Ethernet nodes that do need the power. Thus it is appreciatedthat the controller 988 effects power pooling of the power supplyresources of the Ethernet nodes which it controls and allocates thepooled power among those Ethernet nodes.

The system of the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 10 employscommunication between one or more controller and plural Ethernet nodescontrolled thereby over data communication path 990 to provide thecontroller with current data regarding both the needs and thecapabilities of the controlled Ethernet nodes and to provide controlinstructions to the power sources of such Ethernet nodes. These controlinstructions, which may be provided along the power connections or alongdedicated communication lines or other paths, illustrated generally as990, govern electrical power provided by at least one of the pluralityof DC electrical power consuming and providing Ethernet nodes. Datacommunication path 990 is illustrated as a twisted pair data path,however this is meant by way of illustration only and is not meant to belimiting in any way. Data communication path 990 may be part of theEthernet communication pathway, or a separate dedicated path such as aCANbus, without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11–34 which describe in further detailexemplary embodiments in accordance with the principles of the currentinvention. The invention is herein described in detail in relation to adata communication system, and in particular an Ethernet based network,however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. The term node,element, device, unit, module and entity is used interchangeablythroughout the specification, and is meant to include any entity havingrelevance to the invention which is viewed as a separate addressableentity by the pooling controller.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 1, thesystem preferably comprises nodes (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1122) thatare each connected to a local area network (LAN), which is preferably anEthernet network operating in accordance with the IEEE 802.3 standard,or wide area network (WAN) 1022.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various nodes communicate with various elements,for example, an IP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operatingpower and communicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1122, and whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

In an exemplary embodiment, nodes 1102, 1104, and 1106 comprise datacommunication modules, that are preferably rack mounted on aconventional 19-inch electronic module rack mount 1100. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, node 1102 comprises a modem, hereinafter modem 1102,node 1104 comprises a switch, hereinafter switch 1104, such as a GigabitEthernet switch, node 1106 comprises a switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality, hereinafter switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which preferably operates in accordance with theIEEE 802.3af standard, and node 1108 comprises a battery pack,hereinafter battery pack 1108, which is preferably employed for backupor power surge occurrences. Each of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108 iscoupled to LAN/WAN 1022 in a conventional manner. Each of nodes 1102,1104, 1106, and 1108 is also directly coupled to mains AC voltage,preferably via a standard power cord and connector, here designatedgenerally 1112, which are in turn connected to an outlet strip 1120.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, node1122 comprises a power spine module, hereinafter power spine module1122, is also provided, preferably in rack mounted form, which providespower community functionality among nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108.Power community functionality includes at least one of the followingfunctionalities: power sharing, load balancing, power backupcapabilities, power redundancy; power boosting, power adding, powerlimiting and fault recovery.

Power spine module 1122 preferably receives AC mains power via the powercord and connector 1112 from outlet strip 1120. Power spine module 1122is preferably interconnected in a star configuration with nodes 1102,1104, 1106 and 1108 by respective cables and connectors that aredesignated generally 1132, and in a conventional manner to LAN/WAN 1022.In one preferred embodiment cables and connector 1132 areinterchangeable, with common and identical connectors on either side ofeach cable. In another preferred embodiment, at least two cable andconnector types 1132 are supplied, with a first cable type beingoptimized for low current operation, and a second cable type beingoptimized for high current operation. Further preferably, any harmfulconnection of cables and modules is prevented by employing incompatibleconnectors. Power spine module 1122 preferably comprises an internalpower supply operable to supply power as required to any of nodes 1102,1104, 1106 and 1108.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a system constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 12, thesystem preferably comprises nodes (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1122)interconnected in a ring topology, that are each connected to a localarea network (LAN), which is preferably an Ethernet network operating inaccordance with the IEEE 802.3 standard, or wide area network (WAN)1022.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various nodes communicate with various elements,for example, an IP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operatingpower and communicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1122, and whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

In an exemplary embodiment, nodes 1102, 1104, and 1106 comprise datacommunication modules, that are preferably rack mounted on aconventional 19 inch electronic module rack mount 1100. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, node 1102 comprises a modem, hereinafter modem 1102,node 1104 comprises a switch, hereinafter switch 1104, such as a GigabitEthernet switch, node 1106 comprises a switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality, hereinafter switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which preferably operates in accordance with theIEEE 802.3af standard, and node 1108 comprises a battery pack,hereinafter battery pack 1108, which is preferably employed for backupor power surge occurrences. Each of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108 iscoupled to LAN/WAN 1022 in a conventional manner. Each of nodes 1102,1104, 1106, and 1108 is also directly coupled to mains AC voltage,preferably via a power cord and connector, here designated generally1112, which are in turn connected to outlet strip 1120.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, node1122 comprises a power spine module, hereinafter power spine module1122, is also provided, preferably in rack mounted form, which providespower community functionality among nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108.Power community functionality includes at least one of the followingfunctionalities: power sharing, load balancing, power backupcapabilities, power redundancy; power boosting, power adding, powerlimiting and fault recovery.

Power spine module 1122 preferably receives AC mains power via a powercord and connector 1112 from outlet strip 1120. Power spine module 1122is preferably interconnected in a ring topology with nodes 1102, 1104,1106 and 1108 by respective cables and connectors that are designatedgenerally 1132, and in a conventional manner to LAN/WAN 1022. In onepreferred embodiment cables and connector 1132 are interchangeable, withcommon and identical connectors on either side of each cable. In anotherpreferred embodiment, at least two cable and connector types 1132 aresupplied, with a first cable type being optimized for low currentoperation, and a second cable type being optimized for high currentoperation. Further preferably, any harmful connection of cables andmodules is prevented by employing incompatible connectors. Power spinemodule 1122 preferably comprises an internal power supply operable tosupply power as required to any of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13A, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a system constructed and operative in accordance withyet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen inFIG. 13A, the system preferably comprises nodes (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108and 1140) that are each connected to a local area network (LAN), whichis preferably an Ethernet network operating in accordance with the IEEE802.3 standard, or wide area network (WAN) 1022 and power spine node1150 interconnecting nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140 in a starconfiguration.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various nodes communicate with various elements,for example, an IP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operatingpower and communicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140, and whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

In an exemplary embodiment, nodes 1102, 1104, and 1106 comprise datacommunication modules, that are preferably rack mounted on aconventional 19 inch electronic module rack mount 1100. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, node 1102 comprises a modem, hereinafter modem 1102,node 1104 comprises a switch, hereinafter switch 1104, such as a GigabitEthernet switch, node 1106 comprises a switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality, hereinafter switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which preferably operates in accordance with theIEEE 802.3af standard, and node 1108 comprises a battery pack,hereinafter battery pack 1108, which is preferably employed for backupor power surge occurrences. Each of nodes 1102, 1104 and 1106 is coupledto LAN/WAN 1022 in a conventional manner. Each of nodes 1102, 1104,1106, and 1108 is also directly coupled to mains AC voltage, preferablyvia a standard power cord and connector, here designated generally 1112,which are in turn connected to an outlet strip 1120.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, node 1140comprises a power bus power supply module, hereinafter power bus powersupply module 1140, which is operable to supply power via power spinenode 1150 to nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,power spine node 1150 provides power community functionality among nodes1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140. Power community functionality includesat least one of the following functionalities: power sharing, loadbalancing, power backup capabilities, power redundancy; power boosting,power adding, power limiting and fault recovery.

Power spine node 1150 is preferably interconnected in a starconfiguration with nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108 by respective cablesand connectors that are designated generally 1132. In an exemplaryembodiment power spine node 1150 is rear mounted on rack 1100, howeverthis is not meant to be limiting in any way. In another embodiment,power spine node 1150 is rack mounted in a manner similar to any one ofnodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108. In one preferred embodiment cables andconnector 1132 are interchangeable, with common and identical connectorson either side of each cable. In another preferred embodiment, at leasttwo cable and connector types 1132 are supplied, with a first cable typebeing optimized for low current operation, and a second cable type beingoptimized for high current operation. Further preferably, any harmfulconnection of cables and modules is prevented by employing incompatibleconnectors.

Reference is now made to FIG. 13B, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a system constructed and operative in accordance withyet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen inFIG. 13B, the system preferably comprises nodes (1102, 1104, 1106, 1108and 1140) that are each connected to a local area network (LAN), whichis preferably an Ethernet network operating in accordance with the IEEE802.3 standard, or wide area network (WAN) 1022 and power spine node1150 interconnecting nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140 in a ringconfiguration.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various nodes communicate with various elements,for example, an IP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operatingpower and communicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140, and whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN 1022. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

In an exemplary embodiment, nodes 1102, 1104, and 1106 comprise datacommunication modules, that are preferably rack mounted on aconventional 19 inch electronic module rack mount 1100. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, node 1102 comprises a modem, hereinafter modem 1102,node 1104 comprises a switch, hereinafter switch 1104, such as a GigabitEthernet switch, node 1106 comprises a switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality, hereinafter switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which preferably operates in accordance with theIEEE 802.3af standard, and node 1108 comprises a battery pack,hereinafter battery pack 1108, which is preferably employed for backupor power surge occurrences. Each of nodes 1102, 1104 and 1106 is coupledto LAN/WAN 1022 in a conventional manner. Each of nodes 1102, 1104,1106, and 1108 is also directly coupled to mains AC voltage, preferablyvia a standard power cord and connector, here designated generally 1112,which are in turn connected to an outlet strip 1120.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, node 1140comprises a power bus power supply module, hereinafter power bus powersupply module 1140, which is operable to supply power via power spinenode 1150 to nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,power spine node 1150 provides power community functionality among nodes1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 and 1140. Power community functionality includesat least one of the following functionalities: power sharing, loadbalancing, power backup capabilities, power redundancy; power boosting,power adding, power limiting and fault recovery.

Power spine node 1150 is preferably interconnected in a ringconfiguration with nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108 by respective cablesand connectors that are designated generally 1132. In an exemplaryembodiment power spine node 1150 is rear mounted on rack 1100, howeverthis is not meant to be limiting in any way. In another embodiment,power spine node 1150 is rack mounted in a manner similar to any one ofnodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108. In one preferred embodiment cables andconnector 1132 are interchangeable, with common and identical connectorson either side of each cable. In another preferred embodiment, at leasttwo cable and connector types 1132 are supplied, with a first cable typebeing optimized for low current operation, and a second cable type beingoptimized for high current operation. Further preferably, any harmfulconnection of cables and modules is prevented by employing incompatibleconnectors.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a multiple rack mounted system constructed and operativein accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG.14 illustrates a system, which in an exemplary embodiment comprises acommunication system, configured in a hierarchical star configurationand preferably includes a plurality of star configuration communicationsubsystems racks 1100, each of the type described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 11. Subsystem racks 1100 are interconnected in a starconfiguration, preferably via a power spine interconnect node 1160 andare all preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022. Power spine interconnectnode 1160 is preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various data communication modules in the varioussubsystem racks 1100 communicate with various elements, for example, anIP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and its constituent data communication modules, andwhich preferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN 1022. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

It is appreciated that the embodiment of FIG. 14 which illustrates ahierarchical star topology, is applicable equally to single hierarchicalstar and multiple hierarchical star topologies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a multiple rack mounted system constructed and operativein accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15illustrates a system, which in an exemplary embodiment comprises acommunication system, configured in a hierarchical ring configurationand preferably includes a plurality of ring configuration communicationsubsystem racks 1100, each of the type described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 12. Subsystem racks 1100 are interconnected in a ringconfiguration, preferably via a power spine interconnect node 1160 andare all preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022. Power spine interconnectnode 1160 is preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, the various data communication modules in the varioussubsystems 1100 communicate with various elements, for example, an IPtelephone 1024, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and its constituent data communication modules, andwhich preferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN 1022. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

It is appreciated that the embodiment of FIG. 15 which illustrates anhierarchical ring topology, is applicable equally to single hierarchicalring and multiple hierarchical ring topologies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16, which is a simplified pictorialillustration of a multiple rack mounted system constructed and operativein accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16illustrates a system, which in an exemplary embodiment comprises acommunications system, configured in a hierarchical star configurationand preferably includes a plurality of star configuration communicationsubsystem racks 1100, each of the type described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 13A. Subsystem racks 1100 are interconnected in a starconfiguration, preferably via a power spine interconnect node 1160 andare all preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022. Power spine interconnectnode 1160 is preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022.

Via the LAN/WAN 1022, the various data communication modules in thevarious subsystem racks 1100 communicate with various elements, forexample, an IP telephone 1024, which preferably receives operating powerand communicates data via a LAN connection; a computer 1026, whichpreferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection; a printer 1028, which receives data via a LAN connection; aserver 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; an IP camera1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicates datavia a LAN connection; a wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; anIP access controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; a smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and a management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and its constituent data communication modules, andwhich preferably receives backup power and communicates data via a LANconnection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data and receivesbackup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN 1022. Preferably, IPtelephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wireless access point1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 and managementstation 1040 receive power in a manner consistent with IEEE 802.3afstandard.

It is appreciated that the embodiment of FIG. 16 which illustrates anhierarchical star topology, is applicable equally to single hierarchicalstar and multiple hierarchical star topologies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17, which is a simplified block diagramillustration of a communications system constructed and operative inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG.17, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the communications system comprises a power spine node 1150, of the typedescribed hereinabove in relation to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, whichpreferably provides power community functionality among a plurality ofdata communication nodes, which preferably, but not necessarily, eachhave their own internal power supplies which are connected directly toan AC mains through outlet strip 1120.

Examples of such data communication nodes include, but are not limitedto, Ethernet switch 1104 and Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106. Preferably, Ethernet switch having power overEthernet functionality 1106 conforms to IEEE 803.2af standard. Otherdata communication nodes that may be in operative engagement with powerspine node 1150 include modem 1102 and a router 1240. No connection isillustrated between modem 1102 and power strip 1120, since in theexemplary embodiment shown modem 1102 receives power exclusively frompower spine node 1150 in accordance with the principle of the currentinvention.

Power spine node 1150 preferably comprises a bi-directional power bus1210 that interconnects the various data communication nodes, such asmodem 1102, Ethernet switch 1104, Ethernet switch having power overEthernet functionality 1106 and router 1240. Bi-directional power bus1210 preferably also connects the various data communication modules topower bus power supply module 1140 and to battery pack 1108 providingback up battery power as well as peak power. Power bus power supplymodule 1140 and battery pack 1108 may be mounted on the same rack as oneor more of nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1240 or may be located elsewhere.

Operation of bi-directional power bus 1210 is preferably governed by apower pooling controller 1230 which monitors and controls energy flowsthrough power bus 1210 between the various data communication nodes,such as nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1240, power bus power supply module1140 and battery pack 1108 in a manner to be described further hereintobelow.

Preferably and optionally, power spine node 1150 also comprises a datacommunication switch 1220, which governs non-power related datacommunication over the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210,among the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1102, 1104,1106 and 1240 and between power spine node 1150 and power bus powersupply module 1140. The combination of optional data communicationswitch 1220 and the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210provides an alternative or addition to a conventional uplink connectionconventionally employed by Ethernet switches.

One or more of the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104,1106 and 1240 as well as the power bus power supply module 1140 and thebattery pack 1108 are each, individually, connected to AC power mains,typically via a outlet strip 1120. Preferably, power spine node 1150,all of the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1102, 1104,1106 and 1240 as well as power bus power supply module 1140 and batterypack 1108 are each, individually, connected to a LAN/WAN 1022.

Via LAN/WAN 1022, power spine node 1150, and the various datacommunication nodes, such as nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1240 communicatewith various elements, for example, IP telephone 1024, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection;computer 1026, which preferably receives backup power and communicatesdata via a LAN connection; printer 1028, which receives data via a LANconnection; server 1030, which receives data via a LAN connection; IPcamera 1032, which preferably receives operating power and communicatesdata via a LAN connection; wireless access point 1034, which preferablyreceives operating power and communicates data via a LAN connection; IPaccess controller 1036, which preferably receives operating power andcommunicates data via a LAN connection; smoke sensor 1038, whichpreferably receives operating power and communicates data via a LANconnection and management station 1040, which governs the operation ofthe LAN/WAN 1022 and of data communication nodes 1102, 1104, 1106 and1240, and which preferably receives backup power and communicates datavia a LAN connection. Remote modem 1042 preferably communicates data andreceives backup power via a WAN connection via the LAN/WAN 1022.Preferably, IP telephone 1024, computer 1026, IP camera 1032, wirelessaccess point 1034, IP access controller 1036, smoke sensor 1038 andmanagement station 1040 receive power from Ethernet switch having powerover Ethernet functionality 1106 in a manner consistent with IEEE802.3af standard.

The present invention constitutes an important contribution to bringingreliability of data communication into line with that presently existingin conventional telephony, also called plain old telephone service(POTS). An important factor in reliability is percentage uptime of acommunications system for each user. POTS telephony has long beencharacterized by 99.999% uptime. This is not presently the case in datacommunication, inter alia due to failures in the supply of power to thecommunications system and to elements thereof.

In order to try to overcome failures in the supply of power, designershave mandated the use of UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and RPS(redundant power supply) modules. The use of UPS modules involvesmultiple voltage and current conversions, which are energy wasteful. Theuse of UPS and RPS modules both result in significant energy waste.

The present invention also addresses another design issue that has longplagued designers of equipment, and in particular communicationequipment, namely the requirement that the power supplies providedwithin such equipment be capable of handling peak power requirements,even though peak power operation rarely or never occurred. Aside fromthe resultant increased cost and lowered efficiency, significant issuesof lowered mean time between failures (MTBF) arise due to significantgeneration of heat within the equipment caused by the required high peakpower. A further problem involves the increased electromagneticinterference from having multiple switching power supplies in closeproximity, thus necessitating additional shielding.

The present invention addresses the afore the long-felt design issues byproviding a power community wherein nodes of a system obtain back-uppower and peak power from each other or from one or more common sourcesinterconnected by power spine node 1150 of FIGS. 13A and 13B, or powerspine module 1122 of FIGS. 11 and 12. The present invention thusprovides diversity of power sources available to each node of the datacommunications system at any given time, with minimal redundancy inequipment and minimal voltage and current conversions. Thus, failure ofan internal power source for any communication module connected to powerspine node 1150 of FIGS. 13A and 13B, or power spine module 1122 ofFIGS. 11 and 12, need not result in the failure of the communicationnode, since power may be supplied to the communication node over powerspine node 1150 or power spine module 1122, from one or more commonsources interconnected by power spine node 1150 or power spine module1122. The present invention further enables the use of power supplies incommunication which are incapable of meeting peak power requirements ofsuch equipment, by providing a reserve source of peak power from one ormore common source interconnected by power spine node 1150 or powerspine module 1122. The present invention further provides for adistributed uninterruptible power supply, with battery pack 1108 beinguseable by any communication module connected to power spine node 1150,or power spine module 1122, without the requirement for conversion to ACpower. The present invention also enables some of the system equipment,which currently includes an AC/DC power supply, to be provided withoutsuch a power supply, the DC power being supplied from one or more commonsource interconnected by power spine node 1150, or power spine module1122. System equipment so supplied without an internal AC/DC powersupply may thus be made substantially smaller, particularly in criticaldimensions, such as height, which can thus be below one height unit in a19 inch rack-mount environment (1 U).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 18A and 18B, which are simplified blockdiagram illustrations of two alternative embodiments of a communicationssystem of the type shown in FIG. 17 constructed and operative in a ringtopology as shown in FIG. 13 b and providing power distribution.

FIG. 18A illustrates a communications system of the type illustrated inFIG. 17, comprising a power spine node 1150, which preferably providespower community functionality among a plurality of data communicationnodes, which preferably, but not necessarily, each have their owninternal power supplies which are connected directly to AC mains at aoutlet strip 1120.

Examples of such data communication nodes include an Ethernet switch1104 and an Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106. Preferably, Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106 conforms to IEEE 803.2af standard. Other datacommunication nodes that may be in operative engagement with power spinenode 1150 include router 1240, a bridge 1250, a file server 1260 and anIP phone gateway 1270. One or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1260 and 1270 as well as powerbus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each,individually, connected to AC power mains, typically via outlet strip1120. No connection is illustrated between bridge 1250 and outlet strip1120, since bridge 1250 receives power exclusively from power spine node1150 in accordance with the principle of the current invention.

Power spine node 1150 preferably comprises a bi-directional power busdesignated generally by reference numeral 1210 which interconnects datacommunication nodes in a ring topology, preferably via respective inputand output supply interface units (SIUs) 1300, each SIU 1300 beingassociated with one of the various data communication nodes, such asnodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, and permits power sharing therebetween.Bi-directional power bus 1210 is completed through each individual SIU1300, thus each SIU 1300 provides protection for bi-directional powerbus 1210. In one embodiment, each SIU 1300 is located within the datacommunication node with which it is associated. In another embodiment,one or more SIU 1300 are collocated within power spine node 1150,without exceeding the scope of the invention. In yet another embodiment,one or more SIU 1300 are physically collocated on bi-directional powerbus 1210, without exceeding the scope of the invention. Bi-directionalpower bus 1210 preferably also connects the various data communicationnodes to power bus power supply module 1140 and to battery pack 1108providing back up battery power as well as peak power. Power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 may be mounted on the same rackas one or more of nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 or may be locatedelsewhere.

Bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a data portion and a powerportion. Operation of bi-directional power bus 1210 is preferablygoverned by a power pooling controller 1230 which monitors and controlsenergy flows through the bus between the various data communicationnodes modules, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 in a manner to be describedfurther hereinto below over the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. Preferably, for power spine node 1150, all of the various datacommunication nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 as well as power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each, individually,connected to a LAN/WAN 1022. Power pooling controller 1230 communicatesvia the power spine node 1150 Ethernet connection with LAN/WAN 1022.

Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106 preferablycomprises power over Ethernet circuitry 1320, which governs the supplyof electrical power over the LAN/WAN 1022, Ethernet switch circuitry1325 which performs Ethernet communication switching, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106. Internal power supply 1330 preferably includes powersharing circuit (PSC) 1340, whose structure and operation is describedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, isresponsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of aninternal power bus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Both power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 and Ethernet switch circuitry1325 receive DC power over internal power bus 1350. DC power is suppliedby internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directional power bus 1210via one or both SIU 1300, located at input and output ring ports ofEthernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106, which arecoupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210receives power from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module1140 and/or any of the internal power supplies of the othercommunication nodes connected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via one or both SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104 and 1240–1270as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each of SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currenttherethrough as appropriate.

Router 1240 preferably comprises router circuitry 1360, which routescommunication messages to and from the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of router 1240. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyis connected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG.25B–FIG. 25C. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 via the data portion of internal power bus1350 to limit the power output of power supply 1330 reaching internalpower bus 1350 in order to participate optimally in the power sharingcommunity.

Router circuitry 1360 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350from internal power supply 1330 via PSC 1345 and/or from bi-directionalpower bus 1210 via one or both SIU 1300 located at the input and outputring ports of router 1240, which are each coupled to a section ofbi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receivespower from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/orany of the internal power supplies of the other communication nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 transmitted over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal power bus 1350, providesDC power via one or both SIU 1300 and bi-directional power bus 1210 toany other suitable one or more of the various data communication nodes,such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1250–1270, as well as to battery pack 1108.

Bridge 1250 preferably comprises bridging circuitry 1370, which performsa bridging functionality on communication messages to and from theLAN/WAN 1022. It is a particular feature of the present invention thatthe bridge 1250 need not contain an internal power supply. Rather, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bridgecircuitry 1370 receives DC power over an internal power bus 1350 frombi-directional power bus 1210 via one or both SIU 1300 located at inputand output ring ports of bridge 1250, which are coupled tobi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receivespower from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140, and/orany of the internal power supplies of the other communication nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

File server 1260 preferably comprises file server circuitry 1380 whichserves communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of file server 1260. Internal power supply 1330preferably includes power sharing circuit (PSC) 1340, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A.PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern the output ofpower supply 1330 in order to participate optimally in the power sharingcommunity.

File server circuitry 1380 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via one or both SIU 1300, located at inputand output ring ports of file server 1260, which are coupled tobi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receivespower from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/orany of the internal power supplies of the other communication nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via one or both SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240,1250 and 1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each of SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Switch 1104 preferably comprises Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 whichswitches communication messages over LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of switch 1104. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyincludes PSC 1340, whose structure and operation is described hereintobelow with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of an internal powerbus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via one or both SIU 1300, located at inputand output ring ports of switch 1104, which are coupled tobi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receivespower from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/orany of the internal power supplies of the other communication nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via one or both SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1106 and 1240–1270as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each of SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

IP phone gateway 1270 preferably comprises gateway circuitry 1400, whichmanages communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of IP phone gateway 1270. Internal power supply 1330preferably includes PSC 1340, whose structure and operation is describedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, isresponsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of aninternal power bus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Gateway circuitry 1400 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350.DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via one or both SIU 1300, located at inputand output ring ports of IP phone gateway 1270, which are coupled tobi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receivespower from battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/orany of the internal power supplies of the other communication nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via one or both SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106 and1240–1260 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each of SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Battery pack 1108 is in an exemplary embodiment a rechargeable batterypack and is preferably provided with a pair of SIUs 1300, located atinput and output ring ports of battery pack 1108. Battery pack 1108comprises multiple rechargeable batteries 1420 which are charged from ACmains by a battery charger 1410 or by DC current received via one orboth SIU 1300 via bi-directional power bus 1210 from one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 orfrom the power bus power supply module 1140.

Power bus power supply module 1140 comprises one or more internal powersupplies 1330 which are associated with PSC 1345 whose structure andoperation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25B–FIG.25C. Power bus power supply module 1140 is preferably provided with apair of SIUs 1300, located at input and output ring ports of power buspower supply module 1140. Power bus power supply module 1140 typicallyis operable to supply power to bi-directional power bus 1210 of powerspine node 1150 for distribution as required. PSC 1345 preferably isresponsive in combination with internal power supply 1330 to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to control the amount of power supplied tobi-directional power bus 1210 by internal power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Power pooling controller 1230 is preferably a logic-based controller. Apreferred embodiment thereof is described hereinto below with referenceto FIG. 21D.

FIG. 18B illustrates a communications system of the type illustrated inFIG. 17, comprising a power spine node 1150, which preferably providespower community functionality among a plurality of data communicationnodes, which preferably, but not necessarily, each have their owninternal power supplies which are connected directly to AC mains at aoutlet strip 1120.

Examples of such data communication nodes include an Ethernet switch1104 and an Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106. Preferably, Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106 conforms to IEEE 803.2af standard. Other datacommunication nodes that may be in operative engagement with power spinenode 1150 include router 1240, a bridge 1250, a file server 1260 and anIP phone gateway 1270. One or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1260 and 1270 as well as powerbus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each,individually, connected to AC power mains, typically via outlet strip1120. No connection is illustrated between bridge 1250 and outlet strip1120, since bridge 1250 receives power exclusively from power spine node1150 in accordance with the principle of the current invention.

Power spine node 1150 preferably comprises a bi-directional power busdesignated generally by reference numeral 1210 which interconnects datacommunication nodes in a ring topology, preferably via respective inputand output supply interface units (SIUs) 1300, each SIU 1300 beingassociated with one of the various data communication nodes, such asnodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, and permits power sharing therebetween.Bi-directional power bus 1210 is connected to the individual SIU 1300,thus bus protection is not provided by SIU 1300, however failure of asingle SIU 1300 does not compromise bi-directional power bus 1210. Inone embodiment, each SIU 1300 is located within the data communicationnode with which it is associated. In another embodiment, one or moreSIUs 1300 are collocated within power spine node 1150, without exceedingthe scope of the invention. In yet another embodiment, one or more SIUs1300 are physically collocated on bi-directional power bus 1210, withoutexceeding the scope of the invention. Bi-directional power bus 1210preferably also connects the various data communication nodes to powerbus power supply module 1140 and to battery pack 1108 providing back upbattery power as well as peak power. Power bus power supply module 1140and battery pack 1108 may be mounted on the same rack as one or more ofnodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 or may be located elsewhere.

Bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a data portion and a powerportion. Operation of bi-directional power bus 1210 is preferablygoverned by a power pooling controller 1230 which monitors and controlsenergy flows through power bus 1210 between the various datacommunication nodes modules, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, powerbus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 in a manner to bedescribed further hereinto below over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210. Preferably, power spine node 1150, all of the variousdata communication nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 as well as power buspower supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each, individually,connected to a LAN/WAN 1022. Power pooling controller 1230 communicatesvia the power spine node 1150 Ethernet connection with LAN/WAN 1022.

Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106 preferablycomprises power over Ethernet circuitry 1320, which governs the supplyof electrical power over the LAN/WAN 1022, Ethernet switch circuitry1325 which performs Ethernet communication switching, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106. Internal power supply 1330 preferably includes powersharing circuit (PSC) 1340, whose structure and operation is describedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, isresponsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of aninternal power bus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Both power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 and Ethernet switch circuitry1325 receive DC power over internal power bus 1350. DC power is suppliedby internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directional power bus 1210via SIU 1300, located at a ring port of Ethernet switch having powerover Ethernet functionality 1106, which are coupled to bi-directionalpower bus 1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power frombattery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of theinternal power supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104 and 1240–1270 aswell as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Router 1240 preferably comprises router circuitry 1360, which routescommunication messages to and from the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of router 1240. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyis connected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG.25B–FIG. 25C. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 via the data portion of internal power bus1350 to limit the power output of power supply 1330 reaching internalpower bus 1350 in order to participate optimally in the power sharingcommunity.

Router circuitry 1360 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350from internal power supply 1330 via PSC 1345 and/or from bi-directionalpower bus 1210 via SIU 1300 located at a ring port of router 1240, whichare each coupled to a section of bi-directional power bus 1210.Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack 1108,power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internal powersupplies of the other communication nodes connected to bi-directionalpower bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 transmitted over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal power bus 1350, providesDC power via SIU 1300 and bi-directional power bus 1210 to any othersuitable one or more of the various data communication nodes, such asnodes 1104, 1106, 1250–1270, as well as to battery pack 1108.

Bridge 1250 preferably comprises bridging circuitry 1370, which performsa bridging functionality on communication messages to and from theLAN/WAN 1022. It is a particular feature of the present invention thatthe bridge 1250 need not contain an internal power supply. Rather, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bridgecircuitry 1370 receives DC power over an internal power bus 1350 frombi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 located at a ring port ofbridge 1250, which is coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210.Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack 1108,power bus power supply module 1140, and/or any of the internal powersupplies of the other communication nodes connected to bi-directionalpower bus 1210.

File server 1260 preferably comprises file server circuitry 1380 whichserves communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of file server 1260. Internal power supply 1330preferably includes PSC 1340, whose structure and operation is describedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, isresponsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of aninternal power bus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

File server circuitry 1380 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300, located at a ring port offile server 1260, and SIU 1300 is coupled to bi-directional power bus1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1250and 1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Switch 1104 preferably comprises Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 whichswitches communication messages over LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of switch 1104. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyincludes PSC 1340, whose structure and operation is described hereintobelow with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of an internal powerbus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300, located at a ring port ofswitch 1325, and SIU 1300 is coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210.Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack 1108,power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internal powersupplies of the other communication nodes connected to bi-directionalpower bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1106 and 1240–1270 aswell as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

IP phone gateway 1270 preferably comprises gateway circuitry 1400, whichmanages communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of IP phone gateway 1270. Internal power supply 1330preferably includes PSC 1340, whose structure and operation is describedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, isresponsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230 over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of aninternal power bus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Gateway circuitry 1400 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350.DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300, located at a ring port of IPphone gateway 1270, and SIU 1300 is coupled to bi-directional power bus1210. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106 and 1240–1260as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Battery pack 1108 is in an exemplary embodiment a rechargeable batterypack and is preferably provided with SIU 1300, located at a ring port ofbattery pack 1108. Battery pack 1108 comprises multiple rechargeablebatteries 1420 which are charged from AC mains by a battery charger 1410or by DC current received via SIU 1300 via bi-directional power bus 1210from one or more of the various data communication nodes, such as nodes1104, 1106, 1240–1270 or from the power bus power supply module 1140.

Power bus power supply module 1140 comprises one or more internal powersupplies 1330 which are associated with PSC 1345 whose structure andoperation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25B–FIG.25C. Power bus power supply module 1140 is preferably provided with SIU1300, located at a ring port of power bus power supply module 1140.Power bus power supply module 1140 typically is operable to supply powerto bi-directional power bus 1210 of power spine node 1150 fordistribution as required. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive incombination with internal power supply 1330 to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to control the amount of power supplied tobi-directional power bus 1210 by internal power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Power pooling controller 1230 is preferably a logic-based controller. Apreferred embodiment thereof is described hereinto below with referenceto FIG. 21D.

It is appreciated that the embodiments of FIGS. 18A and 18B whichillustrate a ring topology, are applicable equally to single ring andmultiple ring topologies.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 19A and 19B, which are simplified blockdiagram illustrations of two alternative embodiments of a communicationssystem of the type shown in FIG. 17 constructed and operative in a startopology as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13A, respectively, and providing powerdistribution.

FIG. 19A illustrates a communications system of the type illustrated inFIG. 17, constructed and operative in a star topology as shown in FIG.13A, comprising power spine node 1150, which preferably provides powercommunity functionality among a plurality of data communication nodes,which preferably, but not necessarily, each have their own internalpower supplies which are connected directly to AC mains at a outletstrip 1120.

Examples of such data communication nodes include an Ethernet switch1104 and an Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106. Preferably, Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106 conforms to IEEE 803.2af standard. Other datacommunication nodes that may be in operative engagement with power spinenode 1150 include router 1240, a bridge 1250, a file server 1260 and anIP phone gateway 1270. One or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1260 and 1270 as well as powerbus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each,individually, connected to AC power mains, typically via outlet strip1120. No connection is illustrated between bridge 1250 and outlet strip1120, since bridge 1250 receives power exclusively from power spine node1150 in accordance with the principle of the current invention.

Power spine node 1150 preferably comprises a bi-directional power busdesignated generally by reference numeral 1210 which interconnects datacommunication nodes in a star topology, preferably via a respective SIU1300, each SIU 1300 being associated with one of the various datacommunication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, and permitspower sharing therebetween. In one embodiment, each SIU 1300 is locatedwithin the data communication node with which it is associated. Inanother embodiment, one or more SIUs 1300 are collocated within powerspine node 1150, without exceeding the scope of the invention. In yetanother embodiment, one or more SIUs 1300 are physically collocated onbi-directional power bus 1210, without exceeding the scope of theinvention. Bi-directional power bus 1210 preferably also connects thevarious data communication nodes to power bus power supply module 1140and to battery pack 1108 providing back up battery power as well as peakpower. Power bus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 may bemounted on the same rack as one or more of nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270or may be located elsewhere.

Bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a data portion and a powerportion. Operation of bi-directional power bus 1210 is preferablygoverned by power pooling controller 1230 which monitors and controlsenergy flows through the bus between the various data communicationnodes modules, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 in a manner to be describedfurther hereinto below over the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. Preferably, power spine node 1150, all of the various datacommunication nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 as well as power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each, individually,connected to a LAN/WAN 1022. Power pooling controller 1230 communicatesvia the power spine node 1150 Ethernet connection with LAN/WAN 1022.

Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106 preferablycomprises power over Ethernet circuitry 1320, which governs the supplyof electrical power over the LAN/WAN 1022, Ethernet switch circuitry1325 which performs Ethernet communication switching, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106. Internal power supply 1330 preferably includes PSC1340, whose structure and operation is described hereinto below withreference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of an internal powerbus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Both power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 and Ethernet switch circuitry1325 receive DC power over internal power bus 1350. DC power is suppliedby internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directional power bus 1210via SIU 1300 through overcurrent protection circuit (OPC) 1450, locatedat a port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106, which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450,which will be described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F,functions as a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to preventexcess current flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internalbus 1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450, to SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104 and 1240–1270as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Router 1240 preferably comprises router circuitry 1360, which routescommunication messages to and from the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of router 1240. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyis connected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG.25B–FIG. 25C. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 via the data portion of internal power bus1350 to limit the power output of power supply 1330 reaching internalpower bus 1350 in order to participate optimally in the power sharingcommunity.

Router circuitry 1360 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350. DCpower is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directionalpower bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through overcurrent protection circuit (OPC)1450, located at a port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210.OPC 1450, which will be described further hereinto below with respect toFIG. 21F, functions as a data buffer between the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350,and to prevent excess current flows between bi-directional power bus1210 and internal bus 1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives powerfrom battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any ofthe internal power supplies of the other communication nodes connectedto bi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 transmitted over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal power bus 1350, providesDC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300 and bi-directional power bus 1210to any other suitable one or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1250–1270, as well as to battery pack1108.

Bridge 1250 preferably comprises bridging circuitry 1370, which performsa bridging functionality on communication messages to and from theLAN/WAN 1022. It is a particular feature of the present invention thatthe bridge 1250 need not contain an internal power supply. Rather, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bridgecircuitry 1370 receives DC power over an internal power bus 1350 frombi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 located at a port of bridge1250, which is coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directionalpower bus 1210 receives power from battery pack 1108, power bus powersupply module 1140, and/or any of the internal power supplies of theother communication nodes connected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

File server 1260 preferably comprises file server circuitry 1380 whichserves communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of file server 1260. Internal power supply 1330 isconnected to internal power bus 1350 through PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIGS.25B–25C. PSC 1345, preferably, is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern theamount of power supplied by power supply 1330 to internal power bus 1350in order to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

File server circuitry 1380 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1345 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1250and 1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Switch 1104 preferably comprises Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 whichswitches communication messages over LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of switch 1104. Internal power supply 1330 preferably isconnected to internal power bus 1350 through PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIGS.25B–25C. PSC 1345, preferably, is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern theoutput of power supply 1330 placed on internal power bus 1350 in orderto participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1345 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300and via bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or moreof the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1106 and1240–1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

IP phone gateway 1270 preferably comprises gateway circuitry 1400, whichmanages communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of IP phone gateway 1270. Internal power supply 1330preferably has its output connected through PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIGS.25B–25C. PSC 1345, preferably, is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern theoutput of power supply 1330 placed on internal power bus 1350 in orderto participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Gateway circuitry 1400 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350.DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1345 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300and via bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or moreof the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106 and1240–1260 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Battery pack 1108 is in an exemplary embodiment a rechargeable batterypack and is preferably provided with OPC 1450, located at a port ofbattery pack 1108. Battery pack 1108 comprises multiple rechargeablebatteries 1420 which are charged from AC mains by a battery charger 1410or by DC current received via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300 viabi-directional power bus 1210 from one or more of the various datacommunication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 or from thepower bus power supply module 1140.

Power bus power supply module 1140 comprises one or more internal powersupplies 1330 which are associated with PSC 1345 whose structure andoperation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25B–FIG.25C. Power bus power supply module 1140 is preferably provided with OPC1450, located at a port of power bus power supply module 1140. Power buspower supply module 1140 typically is operable to supply power tobi-directional power bus 1210 through OPC 1450 and SIU 1300 to powerspine node 1150 for distribution as required. PSC 1345 preferably isresponsive in combination with internal power supply 1330 to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to control the amount of power supplied tobi-directional power bus 1210 by internal power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Power pooling controller 1230 is preferably a logic-based controller. Apreferred embodiment thereof is described hereinto below with referenceto FIG. 21D.

FIG. 19B illustrates a communications system of the type illustrated inFIG. 17, constructed and operative in a star topology as shown in FIG.11, comprising power spine module 1122, which preferably provides powercommunity functionality among a plurality of data communication nodes,which preferably, but not necessarily, each have their own internalpower supplies which are connected directly to AC mains at a outletstrip 1120.

Examples of such data communication nodes include an Ethernet switch1104 and an Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106. Preferably, Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106 conforms to IEEE 803.2af standard. Other datacommunication nodes that may be in operative engagement with power spinemodule 1122 include router 1240, a bridge 1250, a file server 1260 andan IP phone gateway 1270. One or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1260 and 1270 as well as powerbus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each,individually, connected to AC power mains, typically via outlet strip1120. No connection is illustrated between bridge 1250 and outlet strip1120, since bridge 1250 receives power exclusively from power spinemodule 1122 in accordance with the principle of the current invention.

Power spine module 1122 preferably comprises a bi-directional power busdesignated generally by reference numeral 1210 which interconnects datacommunication nodes in a star topology, preferably via a respective SIU1300, each SIU 1300 being associated with one of the various datacommunication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, and permitspower sharing therebetween. In one embodiment, each SIU 1300 is locatedwithin the data communication node with which it is associated. Inanother embodiment, one or more SIUs 1300 are collocated within powerspine module 1122, without exceeding the scope of the invention. In yetanother embodiment, one or more SIUs 1300 are physically collocated onbi-directional power bus 1210, without exceeding the scope of theinvention. Bi-directional power bus 1210 preferably also connects thevarious data communication nodes to power bus power supply module 1140and to battery pack 1108 providing back up battery power as well as peakpower. Power bus power supply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 may bemounted on the same rack as one or more of nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270or may be located elsewhere.

Bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a data portion and a powerportion. Operation of bi-directional power bus 1210 is preferablygoverned by power pooling controller 1230 which monitors and controlsenergy flows through the bus between the various data communicationnodes modules, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 in a manner to be describedfurther hereinto below over the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. Preferably, power spine module 1122, all of the various datacommunication nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270 as well as power bus powersupply module 1140 and battery pack 1108 are each, individually,connected to a LAN/WAN 1022. Power pooling controller 1230 communicatesvia the power spine module 1122 Ethernet connection with LAN/WAN 1022.

Power spine module 1122 further comprises one or more internal powersupplies 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120. Theoutput of internal power supply 1330 is coupled to bi-directional powerbus 1210 through an associated SIU 1300. In one embodiment internalpower supply 1330 comprises PSC 1340 whose structure and operation isdescribed hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340,preferably, is responsive to outputs from power pooling controller 1230over the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 to govern theoutput of internal power supply 1330 in order to participate optimallyin the power sharing community. In another embodiment internal powersupply 1330 preferably is connected to SIU 1300 and from there tobi-directional power bus 1210 via PSC 1345, whose structure andoperation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25B–FIG.25C. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 transmitted over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 to limit the power output of internal power supply 1330reaching SIU 1300 and subsequently bi-directional power bus 1210 inorder to participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106 preferablycomprises power over Ethernet circuitry 1320, which governs the supplyof electrical power over the LAN/WAN 1022, Ethernet switch circuitry1325 which performs Ethernet communication switching, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106. Internal power supply 1330 preferably includes PSC1340, whose structure and operation is described hereinto below withreference to FIG. 25A. PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of an internal powerbus 1350 to govern the output of power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Both power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 and Ethernet switch circuitry1325 receive DC power over internal power bus 1350. DC power is suppliedby internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directional power bus 1210via SIU 1300 through overcurrent protection circuit (OPC) 1450, locatedat a port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality1106, which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450,which will be described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F,functions as a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to preventexcess current flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internalbus 1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140, one or more internal powersupply 1330 of power spine module 1122 and/or any of the internal powersupplies of the other communication nodes connected to bi-directionalpower bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450, to SIU 1300 andvia bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more ofthe various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104 and 1240–1270as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Router 1240 preferably comprises router circuitry 1360, which routescommunication messages to and from the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of router 1240. Internal power supply 1330 preferablyis connected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG.25B–FIG. 25C. PSC 1345 preferably is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 via the data portion of internal power bus1350 to limit the power output of power supply 1330 reaching internalpower bus 1350 in order to participate optimally in the power sharingcommunity.

Router circuitry 1360 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350. DCpower is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or by bi-directionalpower bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through overcurrent protection circuit (OPC)1450, located at a port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210.OPC 1450, which will be described further hereinto below with respect toFIG. 21F, functions as a data buffer between the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350,and to prevent excess current flows between bi-directional power bus1210 and internal bus 1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives powerfrom battery pack 1108, power bus power supply module 1140, one or moreinternal power supply 1330 of power spine module 1122 and/or any of theinternal power supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive to outputs from power poolingcontroller 1230 transmitted over the data portion of bi-directionalpower bus 1210 and the data portion of internal power bus 1350, providesDC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300 and bi-directional power bus 1210to any other suitable one or more of the various data communicationnodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1250–1270, as well as to battery pack1108.

Bridge 1250 preferably comprises bridging circuitry 1370, which performsa bridging functionality on communication messages to and from theLAN/WAN 1022. It is a particular feature of the present invention thatthe bridge 1250 need not contain an internal power supply. Rather, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bridgecircuitry 1370 receives DC power over an internal power bus 1350 frombi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 located at a port of bridge1250, which is coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. Bi-directionalpower bus 1210 receives power from battery pack 1108, power bus powersupply module 1140, one or more internal power supply 1330 of powerspine module 1122 and/or any of the internal power supplies of the othercommunication nodes connected to bi-directional power bus 1210.

File server 1260 preferably comprises file server circuitry 1380 whichserves communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and an internalpower supply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120and which preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peakpower requirements of file server 1260. Internal power supply 1330preferably comprises PSC 1340, whose structure and operation isdescribed hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25A, and is connected tointernal power bus 1350. PSC 1340, preferably, is responsive to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and a data portion of an internal powerbus 1350 to govern the amount of power supplied by power supply 1330 tointernal power bus 1350 in order to participate optimally in the powersharing community.

File server circuitry 1380 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140, one or more internal powersupply 1330 of power spine module 1122 and/or any of the internal powersupplies of the other communication nodes connected to bi-directionalpower bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1340 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via SIU 1300 and viabi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or more of thevarious data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240, 1250and 1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Switch 1104 preferably comprises Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 whichswitches communication messages over LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of switch 1104. Internal power supply 1330 preferably isconnected to internal power bus 1350 through PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIGS.25B–25C. PSC 1345, preferably, is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern theoutput of power supply 1330 placed on internal power bus 1350 in orderto participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives DC power over internal power bus1350. DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140, one or more internal powersupplies 1330 of power spine module 1122 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1345 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300and via bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or moreof the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1106 and1240–1270 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing therethrough, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

IP phone gateway 1270 preferably comprises gateway circuitry 1400, whichmanages communication messages over the LAN/WAN 1022, and internal powersupply 1330, which receives AC mains power from outlet strip 1120 andwhich preferably, but not necessarily, is insufficient for peak powerrequirements of IP phone gateway 1270. Internal power supply 1330preferably has its output connected through PSC 1345, whose structureand operation is described hereinto below with reference to FIGS.25B–25C. PSC 1345, preferably, is responsive to outputs from powerpooling controller 1230 over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and a data portion of an internal power bus 1350 to govern theoutput of power supply 1330 placed on internal power bus 1350 in orderto participate optimally in the power sharing community.

Gateway circuitry 1400 receives DC power over internal power bus 1350.DC power is supplied by internal power supply 1330 and/or bybi-directional power bus 1210 via SIU 1300 through OPC 1450, located ata port of Ethernet switch having power over Ethernet functionality 1106,which are coupled to bi-directional power bus 1210. OPC 1450, which willbe described further hereinto below with respect to FIG. 21F, functionsas a data buffer between the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 and the data portion of internal bus 1350, and to prevent excesscurrent flows between bi-directional power bus 1210 and internal bus1350. Bi-directional power bus 1210 receives power from battery pack1108, power bus power supply module 1140, one or more internal powersupplies 1330 of power spine module 1122 and/or any of the internalpower supplies of the other communication nodes connected tobi-directional power bus 1210.

Internal power supply 1330, responsive in combination with PSC 1345 tooutputs from power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210 and the data portion ofinternal power bus 1350, provides DC power via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300and via bi-directional power bus 1210 to any other suitable one or moreof the various data communication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106 and1240–1260 as well as to battery pack 1108.

Preferably, SIU 1300 provides fault tolerant performance by limiting theamount of current passing there through, and in an exemplary embodimentprovide a telemetry output representing the current level and direction.This telemetry output is preferably communicated via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to power pooling controller 1230, whichinstructs each SIU 1300 to limit or terminate the passage of currentthere through as appropriate.

Battery pack 1108 is in an exemplary embodiment a rechargeable batterypack and is preferably provided with OPC 1450, located at a port ofbattery pack 1108. Battery pack 1108 comprises multiple rechargeablebatteries 1420 which are charged from AC mains by a battery charger 1410or by DC current received via OPC 1450 through SIU 1300 viabi-directional power bus 1210 from one or more of the various datacommunication nodes, such as nodes 1104, 1106, 1240–1270, from one ormore internal power supplies 1330 of power spine module 1122 or from thepower bus power supply module 1140.

Power bus power supply module 1140 comprises one or more internal powersupplies 1330 which are associated with PSC 1345 whose structure andoperation is described hereinto below with reference to FIG. 25B–FIG.25C. Power bus power supply module 1140 is preferably provided with OPC1450, located at a port of power bus power supply module 1140. Power buspower supply module 1140 typically is operable to supply power tobi-directional power bus 1210 through OPC 1450 and SIU 1300 to powerspine module 1122 for distribution as required. PSC 1345 preferably isresponsive in combination with internal power supply 1330 to outputsfrom power pooling controller 1230 transmitted over the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 to control the amount of power supplied tobi-directional power bus 1210 by internal power supply 1330 in order toparticipate optimally in the power sharing community.

Power pooling controller 1230 is preferably a logic-based controller. Apreferred embodiment thereof is described hereinto below with referenceto FIG. 21D.

It is appreciated that the embodiments of FIGS. 19A and 19B, whichillustrate a star topology, are applicable equally to single star andmultiple star topologies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20A which is a simplified block diagramillustration of an embodiment of a system of the type shown in FIG. 15and FIG. 18A constructed and operative in a hierarchical ring topologyand providing power distribution in accordance with the principle of theinvention. The system of FIG. 20A comprises a plurality of ringconfiguration communication subsystem racks 1100, each of the typedescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 18A. Subsystem racks 1100are interconnected in a ring configuration, preferably via a power spineinterconnect node 1160 and are all preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022.Power spine interconnect node 1160 is preferably also connected to atleast one power bus power supply module 1140. It is appreciated that theembodiment of FIG. 20A which illustrates an hierarchical ring topology,is applicable equally to single hierarchical ring and multiplehierarchical ring topologies.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20B which is a simplified block diagramillustration of an embodiment of a system of the type shown in FIGS. 14,16, and 19B constructed and operative in a hierarchical star topologyand providing power distribution in accordance with the principle of theinvention. The system of FIG. 20B comprises a plurality of starconfiguration communication subsystem racks 1100, each of the typedescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 19B. Subsystem racks 1100are interconnected in a star configuration, preferably via a power spineinterconnect node 1160, which is of the type described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 19A, and are all preferably connected to LAN/WAN 1022.Power spine interconnect node 1160 is preferably also connected to atleast one external battery pack 1108 to supply battery back up for allconnected subsystem racks 1100. It is appreciated that the embodiment ofFIG. 20B which illustrates a hierarchical star topology, is applicableequally to single hierarchical star and multiple hierarchical startopologies.

It is appreciated that the system of FIG. 20A or 20B enable adistributed UPS, because the failure of any power supply or mains doesnot cause the failure of any components. The bi-directional power bussupplies DC power to all components from any available source, includingfrom battery pack 1108 (FIG. 20B) which is operable to supply power inthe absence of mains power.

It is further appreciated that in the system of FIG. 20B, a node may beconnected to more than one bus, however operationally only onecontroller is to be treated as a master controller for each node.Furthermore, in the event of multiple power supply busses, preferably asingle controller acts as a master controller.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and 21E, which aresimplified block diagram illustrations of elements in the systemillustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

As seen in FIG. 21A, Ethernet switch including power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, preferably comprises power supply 1330, whichreceives mains AC power and provides a DC output, at a variable voltage,typically 48 volts. PSC 1340 governs the operation of power supply 1330to vary the output voltage thereof in accordance with control datareceived from power pooling controller 1230 of power spine node 1150, orpower spine module 1122, of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, respectively, via thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 in order to affect desiredpower sharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. PSC 1340 is further operable over data line 1520 tocommunicate the current status of power supply 1330 to power poolingcontroller 1230.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 and in an exemplaryembodiment also comprises a fuse or circuit breaker 1510 on internalpower bus 1350. In another embodiment data line 1520 is a logical lineformed by data superimposed on internal power bus 1350, and BDB 1500thus includes means to remove the data from the power carrier, and tosuperimpose data on to the power carrier. Similarly, bi-directionalpower bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment a separate data line, and BDB1500 functions to buffer data coming from, or being transmitted to thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210. In an exemplaryembodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210 comprises a controllerarea network serial data bus (CANbus), available from PhillipsSemiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In another embodiment, thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a logical lineformed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus 1210, and BDB1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the power carrier, andto superimpose data on to the power carrier.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives power from at least one andpreferably both of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via a dataline 1530 to LAN/WAN 1022.

Power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 preferably is of the type describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,608 issued to Lehr et al., whose contents areincorporated herein by reference, and includes a Power over Ethernet(POE) controller 1550 which receives a data input, preferably along dataline 1520, and provides control outputs to a plurality of SPEAR circuits1540, which, in turn, receives power from at least one and preferablyboth of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210 via OPC 1450over internal power bus 1350, and which provide power outputs viaLAN/WAN 1022 to those Ethernet nodes which require power, such as thoseillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 11, 12, 13A, 13B, and 17. POEcontroller 1550 is further operable over data line 1520 to communicatewith power pooling controller 1230 regarding power requirements of powerover Ethernet circuitry 1320.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21B, which illustrates the generalstructure of file server 1260 of FIGS. 19A and 19B. File server 1260comprises power supply 1330, which receives mains AC power and providesa DC output, at a variable voltage, typically 48 volts. PSC 1340 governsthe operation of power supply 1330 to vary the output voltage thereof inaccordance with control data received from power pooling controller 1230via the data portion of power bus 1210 in order to affect desired powersharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. PSC 1340 is further operable over data line 1520 tocommunicate the current status of power supply 1330 to power poolingcontroller 1230.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 connecting OPC 1450to PSC 1340, and in an exemplary embodiment also comprises a fuse orcircuit breaker 1510 on internal power bus 1350. In another embodimentdata line 1520 is a logical line formed by data superimposed on internalpower bus 1350, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data fromthe power carrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.Similarly, bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment aseparate data line, and BDB 1500 functions to buffer data coming from,or being transmitted to the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. In an exemplary embodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210comprises a controller area network serial data bus (CANbus), availablefrom Phillips Semiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In anotherembodiment, the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprisesa logical line formed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus1210, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the powercarrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.

File server circuitry 1380 receives power from at least one andpreferably both of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via a dataline 1530 with LAN/WAN 1022. File server circuitry 1520 is furtheroperable to communicate power requirements to power pooling controller1230 over data line 1520. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, twodatum selected from the current DC electrical power consuming needs, thecurrent DC electrical power providing abilities and the current DCexcess providing ability or shortfall are transmitted to power poolingcontroller 1230, thus advising power pooling controller 1230 of thecurrent status.

FIG. 21C illustrates a high level schematic diagram of a non-limitingembodiment of SIU 1300. SIU 1300 is operable to control the electricalpower flow in response to pooling controller 1230, and in a preferredembodiment is operative to control both the extent and direction ofcurrent flow. In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21C,SIU 1300 is a symmetrical circuit having first and second data and powerinput/output ports 1550. Power entering via first port 1550 travels overa pathway 1560, via a first diode 1570, a first current sensor 1580, afirst controllable switch 1590 and a first adjustable current limiter1600 to the output portion of second port 1550. Power entering viasecond port 1550 travels over a pathway 1610, via a second diode 1570, asecond current sensor 1580, a second controllable switch 1590 and asecond adjustable current limiter 1600 to the output portion of firstport 1550.

An SIU controller 1620, typically in the form of a microprocessor,communicates control data to/from power pooling controller 1230 of powerspine node 1150 of FIG. 19A, or power spine module 1122 of FIG. 19B viafirst or second ports 1550, receives current sensor outputs from firstand second current sensors 1580, provides current switch outputs tofirst and second controllable switches 1590 and provides currentlimiting output to first and second adjustable current limiters 1600.

In another embodiment (not shown) SIU 1300 further comprises overcurrentprotection, which preferably comprises a fuse or circuit breaker toprevent an excess current condition. Such a condition may occur, forexample, in an uncontrolled start up mode in which a short circuit isconnected in place of a node prior to pooling controller 1230 settingSIU 1300 to an off mode.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21D, which illustrates power poolingcontroller 1230 (FIGS. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B). As seen in FIG. 21D,power pooling controller 1230 preferably comprises an internalcommunication bus 1650, which provides communication between acommunication interface 1660, which in turn communicates with the dataportion of bi-directional power bus 1210, a memory 1670, control logic1680 and an Ethernet communication interface 1690, which in turncommunicates with LAN/WAN 1022.

As seen in FIG. 21E, the router designated by reference numeral 1240 inFIGS. 19A and 19B, preferably includes an internal conventional powersupply 1330, which receives mains AC power and provides a DC output,typically 48 volts. PSC 1345 governs the output of power supply 1330 tovary the output voltage thereof in accordance with control data receivedfrom the power pooling controller 1230 via the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 in order to affect desired power sharingin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. PSC1345, or in alternative embodiment not shown power supply 1330 isfurther operable to communicate over data line 1520 with power poolingcontroller 1230 regarding the current status of power supply 1330.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 connecting OPC 1450to PSC 1345, and in an exemplary embodiment also comprises a fuse orcircuit breaker 1510 on internal power bus 1350. In another embodimentdata line 1520 is a logical line formed by data superimposed on internalpower bus 1350, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data fromthe power carrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.Similarly, bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment aseparate data line, and BDB 1500 functions to buffer data coming from,or being transmitted to the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. In an exemplary embodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210comprises a controller area network serial data bus (CANbus), availablefrom Phillips Semiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In anotherembodiment, the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprisesa logical line formed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus1210, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the powercarrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.

Router circuitry 1360 receives power from at least one and preferablyboth of power supply 1330 via PSC 1345, and bi-directional power bus1210 via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via adata line 1530 with LAN/WAN 1022. Router circuitry is further operableto communicate over data line 1520 with power pooling controller 1230regarding power requirements. In an alternative embodiment, not shown,router 1240 communicates datum selected from among the group consistingof the current DC electrical power consuming needs, the current DCelectrical power providing abilities and the current DC excess providingability or shortfall to power pooling controller 1230, thus notifyingpower pooling controller 1230 information relating indicating DCelectrical power needs and DC electrical power providing capabilities ofrouter 1240.

FIG. 21E has been described in relation to router 1240, however this isnot meant to be limiting in any way, and is instead meant to be anexemplary example of a node comprising and internal power supply 1330being connected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345.

Reference is now made to FIG. 21F, which illustrates a high levelschematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of OPC 1450 of FIGS.19A–19B. For clarity, reference is made to OPC 1450 in the context ofFIG. 21E. As seen in FIG. 21F, OPC 1450 includes BDB 1500 comprisingmultiple data line amplifiers 1700 which amplify data signals inmultiple directions. OPC 1450 also includes fuse portion 1510 whichcomprise conventional metal or electronic circuit breakers 1710connected in series connected bi-directional power bus 1210 to internalpower bus 1350.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 22A and 22B, which are simplified blockdiagram illustrations of portions of elements in the communicationssystem illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, and21E, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 22A, it is seen that power supply 1330 (FIGS. 21A and21B) preferably comprise an EMI filter 1770 which receives AC mainspower and provides an EMI filtered output to a diode bridge rectifier1780. The diode bridge rectifier 1780 outputs to a power factorcorrection (PFC) stage 1790.

An output of the power factor correction stage 1790 is supplied toelectronic switch 1800 which receives a control input from a pulse widthmodulation (PWM) or resonance controller 1760, generally power supplycontroller 1760 which in turn receives inputs from a current sensor1580, connected downstream of electronic switch 1800, an output voltagesensor 1840 and from PSC 1340, which in turn receives a control inputvia the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 from power poolingcontroller 1230 (FIG. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B) and an input from atemperature sensor 1750. Temperature sensor 1750 is operative to detectthe operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thus providingdata input useful in preventing early failure of internal power supply1330.

Electronic switch 1800 is operative to modulate the voltage output ofPFC stage 1790 and to provide a voltage modulated output to atransformer 1810 which outputs via a rectifier 1820 and a DC outputfilter 1830. The output voltage is sensed by voltage output sensor 1840,which as indicated above is an input to pulse width modulation orresonance controller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760. Powersupply 1330 having PSC 1340 thus affects desired power sharing inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, beingadaptable by commands received from power pooling controller 1230 inreal time to various operational modes of the system.

FIG. 22B illustrates a high level schematic diagram of an embodiment ofpower supply 1330 of FIG. 21E, having its output fed to PSC 1345. Powersupply 1330 is of a conventional power supply and preferably comprisesan EMI filter 1770 that receives AC mains power and provides an EMIfiltered output to a diode bridge rectifier 1780. The diode bridgerectifier 1780 outputs to a PFC stage 1790. An output of PFC stage 1790is supplied to an electronic switch 1800, which receives a control inputfrom a pulse width modulation or resonance controller 1760, generallypower supply controller 1760 that in turn receives inputs from a firstoutput voltage sensor 1840.

Electronic switch 1800 is operative to modulate the voltage output ofPFC stage 1790 and to provide a voltage modulated output to atransformer 1810 which outputs via a rectifier 1820 and a DC outputfilter 1830. The output of DC output filter 1830, which is the output ofconventional power supply 1330, is sensed by first voltage sensor 1840,and as described above is fed as an input to pulse width modulation orresonance controller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760. Theoutput of DC output filter 1830 is supplied to an external PSC 1345 ofFIG. 21E, which in turn receives a control input via the data portion1520 of internal power bus 1350, via bi-directional power bus 1210 frompower pooling controller 1230, an input from a temperature sensor 1750,an input from an output current sensor 1580 and an input from secondvoltage output sensor 1840. Temperature sensor 1750 is operative todetect the operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thusproviding data input useful in preventing early failure of internalpower supply 1330. PSC 1345 thus affects desired power sharing inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, beingadaptable by commands received from power pooling controller 1230 inreal time to various operational modes of the system.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 23A, 23B and 23C, which are simplifiedblock diagram illustrations of elements in the communications systemillustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B and are alternatives to thoseillustrated in FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21E, respectively, implementing acurrent share bus connected to at least some of the PSCs 1340 and 1345.Such a power share bus arrangement allows for immediate load balancingamong the nodes of the system of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, without anydelay attributable to the reaction time of power pooling controller1230.

As seen in FIG. 23A, Ethernet switch including power over Ethernetfunctionality 1106, preferably comprises power supply 1330, whichreceives mains AC power and provides a DC output, at a variable voltage,typically 48 volts. PSC 1340 governs the operation of power supply 1330to vary the output voltage thereof in accordance with control datareceived from power pooling controller 1230 of power spine node 1150, orpower spine module 1122, of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, respectively, via thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 in order to affect desiredpower sharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. PSC 1340 in this embodiment further comprises a current sharebus connection 1570, connected to at least some of the PSCs 1340 and1345 of other nodes of the system of FIGS. 19A and 19B. Such a currentshare bus arrangement allows for immediate load balancing among thenodes of the system of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, without any delayattributable to the reaction time of power pooling controller 1230. PSC1340 is further operable to communicate over data line 1520 with powerpooling controller 1230 regarding the current status of power supply1330.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 and in an exemplaryembodiment also comprises a fuse or circuit breaker 1510 on internalpower bus 1350. In another embodiment data line 1520 is a logical lineformed by data superimposed on internal power bus 1350, and BDB 1500thus includes means to remove the data from the power carrier, and tosuperimpose data on to the power carrier. Similarly, bi-directionalpower bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment a separate data line, and BDB1500 functions to buffer data coming from, or being transmitted to thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210. In an exemplaryembodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210 comprises a controllerarea network serial data bus (CANbus), available from PhillipsSemiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In another embodiment, thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises a logical lineformed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus 1210, and BDB1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the power carrier, andto superimpose data on to the power carrier.

Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 receives power from at least one andpreferably both of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via a dataline 1530 with LAN/WAN 1022. Ethernet switch circuitry 1325 is furtheroperable to communicate over data line 1520 with power poolingcontroller 1230 regarding current power needs of Ethernet switchcircuitry 1325.

Power over Ethernet circuitry 1320 preferably is of the type describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,608 issued to Lehr et al., whose contents areincorporated herein by reference, and includes a power over Ethernet(POE) controller 1550 which receives a data input, preferably along dataline 1520, and provides control outputs to a plurality of SPEAR circuits1540, which, in turn, receives power from at least one and preferablyboth of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210 via OPC 1450over internal power bus 1350, and which provide power outputs viaLAN/WAN 1022 to those Ethernet nodes which require power, such as thoseillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 11, 12, 13A, 13B, and 17. Power overEthernet circuitry 1320 is further operable to communicate over dataline 1520 with power pooling controller 1230 regarding powerrequirements. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, Ethernet switchincluding power over Ethernet functionality 1106 communicates datumselected from among the group consisting of the current DC electricalpower consuming needs, the current DC electrical power providingabilities and the current DC excess providing ability or shortfall topower pooling controller 1230, thus notifying power pooling controller1230 of information relating to DC electrical power needs and DCelectrical power providing capabilities of Ethernet switch includingpower over Ethernet functionality 1106.

Reference is now made to FIG. 23B, which illustrates the generalstructure of file server 1260 of FIG. 19B, and illustrates an improvedversion of file server 1260 as compared to FIG. 21B. File server 1260comprises power supply 1330, which receives mains AC power and providesa DC output, at a variable voltage, typically 48 volts. PSC 1340 governsthe operation of power supply 1330 to vary the output voltage thereof inaccordance with control data received from power pooling controller 1230via the data portion of power bus 1210 in order to affect desired powersharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. PSC 1340 in this embodiment further comprises a current sharebus connection 1570, connected to at least some of the PSCs 1340 and1345 of other nodes of the system of FIGS. 19A and 19B. Such a powershare bus arrangement allows for immediate load balancing among thenodes of the system of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, without any delayattributable to the reaction time of power pooling controller 1230. PSC1340 is further operable to communicate over data line 1520 with powerpooling controller 1230 regarding the current status of power supply1330.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 connecting OPC 1450to PSC 1340, and in an exemplary embodiment also comprises a fuse orcircuit breaker 1510 on internal power bus 1350. In another embodimentdata line 1520 is a logical line formed by data superimposed on internalpower bus 1350, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data fromthe power carrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.Similarly, bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment aseparate data line, and BDB 1500 functions to buffer data coming from,or being transmitted to the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. In an exemplary embodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210comprises a controller area network serial data bus (CANbus), availablefrom Phillips Semiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In anotherembodiment, the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprisesa logical line formed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus1210, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the powercarrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.

File server circuitry 1380 receives power from at least one andpreferably both of power supply 1330 and bi-directional power bus 1210via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via a dataline 1530 to LAN/WAN 1022. File server circuitry 1380 is furtheroperable to communicate over data line 1520 with power poolingcontroller 1230 regarding power requirements. In an alternativeembodiment, not shown, file server 1260 communicates datum selected fromamong the group consisting of the current DC electrical power consumingneeds, the current DC electrical power providing abilities and thecurrent DC excess providing ability or shortfall to power poolingcontroller 1230, thus notifying power pooling controller 1230 ofinformation relating to DC electrical power needs and DC electricalpower providing capabilities of file server 1260.

Reference is now made to FIG. 23C, which illustrates the generalstructure of an improved router 1240 of FIGS. 19A and 19B, andillustrates an improvement over the embodiment of FIG. 21E. Router 1240preferably includes an internal conventional power supply 1330, whichreceives mains AC power and provides a DC output, typically 48 volts.PSC 1345 governs the output of power supply 1330 to vary the outputvoltage thereof in accordance with control data received from the powerpooling controller 1230 via the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210 in order to affect desired power sharing in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. PSC 1345 in thisembodiment further comprises a current share bus connection 1570,connected to at least some of the PSCs 1340 and 1345 of other nodes ofthe system of FIGS. 19A and 19B. Such a current share bus arrangementallows for immediate load balancing among the nodes of the system ofFIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, without any delay attributable to the reactiontime of power pooling controller 1230. PSC 1345, or in an alternativeembodiment not shown, power supply 1330, is further operable tocommunicate over data line 1520 with power pooling controller 1230regarding the current status of power supply 1330.

OPC 1450 comprises bidirectional data buffer (BDB) 1500 on a data line1520 forming data portion of internal power bus 1350 connecting OPC 1450to PSC 1345, and in an exemplary embodiment also comprises a fuse orcircuit breaker 1510 on internal power bus 1350. In another embodimentdata line 1520 is a logical line formed by data superimposed on internalpower bus 1350, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data fromthe power carrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.Similarly, bi-directional power bus 1210 comprises in one embodiment aseparate data line, and BDB 1500 functions to buffer data coming from,or being transmitted to the data portion of bi-directional power bus1210. In an exemplary embodiment, the data portion of power bus 1210comprises a controller area network serial data bus (CANbus), availablefrom Phillips Semiconductors, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In anotherembodiment, the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 comprisesa logical line formed by data superimposed on bi-directional power bus1210, and BDB 1500 thus includes means to remove the data from the powercarrier, and to superimpose data on to the power carrier.

Router circuitry 1360 receives power from at least one and preferablyboth of power supply 1330 via PSC 1345, and bi-directional power bus1210 via OPC 1450 over internal power bus 1350, and communicates via adata line 1530 with LAN/WAN 1022. Router circuitry 1360 is furtheroperable to communicate over data line 1520 with power poolingcontroller 1230 regarding power requirements. In an alternativeembodiment, not shown, router 1240 communicates datum selected fromamong the group consisting of the current DC electrical power consumingneeds, the current DC electrical power providing abilities and thecurrent DC excess providing ability or shortfall to power poolingcontroller 1230, thus notifying power pooling controller 1230 ofinformation relating to DC electrical power needs and DC electricalpower providing capabilities of router 1240.

FIG. 23C has been described in relation to router 1240, however this isnot meant to be limiting in any way, and is intended to be an exemplaryexample of a node comprising and internal power supply 1330 beingconnected to an internal power bus 1350 via PSC 1345.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 24A and 24B, which are simplified blockdiagram illustrations of alternative portions of elements in thecommunications system illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, implementing thecurrent share bus as described above in relation to FIGS. 23A, 23B and23C. In particular FIGS. 24A and 24B represent simplified block diagramillustrations similar to those described above in relation to FIGS. 22Aand 22B, respectively, with the addition of the current share bus.

Referring now to FIG. 24A, it is seen that power supply 1330 of FIGS.22A and 22B, preferably comprises an EMI filter 1770 which receives ACmains power and provides an EMI filtered output to a diode bridgerectifier 1780. Diode bridge rectifier 1780 outputs to a PFC stage 1790.An output of PFC stage 1790 is supplied as an input to an electronicswitch 1800 which receives a control input from a pulse width modulationor resonance controller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760which in turn receives inputs from a first current sensor 1580,connected downstream of electronic switch 1800. Pulse width modulationor resonance controller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760receives further inputs from an output voltage sensor 1840 connected atthe output of power supply 1330, and from a power supply controller1340. Electronic switch 1800 is operative to modulate the voltage outputof PFC stage 1790 and to provide a voltage modulated output, to atransformer 1810 which outputs via a rectifier 1820 and a DC outputfilter 1830.

Power supply controller 1340 receives a control input 1520 via the dataportion of power bus 1210 from power pooling controller 1230 (FIGS. 17,18A, 18B, 19A and 19B), an input from a temperature sensor 1750, aninput from voltage sensor 1840 connected at the output of power supply1330 and an input from a second current sensor 1580 connected at theoutput of power supply 1330 to sense the total output current. PSC 1340has additional connection to a current share bus 1570, connected to atleast some of the PSCs 1340 and 1345 of other nodes of the system ofFIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B. Such a power share bus arrangement allowsfor immediate load balancing among the nodes of the system of FIG. 19Aand FIG. 19B, without any delay attributable to the reaction time ofpower pooling controller 1230. Temperature sensor 1750 is operative todetect the operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thusproviding data input useful in preventing early failure of internalpower supply 1330. Power supply 1330 having PSC 1340 thus affectsdesired power sharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, being adaptable by commands received from powerpooling controller 1230 in real time to various operational modes of thesystem, and having immediate response to the operation of other nodesthrough current share bus 1570.

FIG. 24B illustrates a high level schematic diagram of an embodiment ofpower supply 1330 of FIG. 23C, having its output fed to PSC 1345. Powersupply 1330 is in a preferred embodiment a conventional power supply andpreferably comprises an EMI filter 1770 that receives AC mains power andprovides an EMI filtered output to a diode bridge rectifier 1780. Diodebridge rectifier 1780 outputs to a PFC stage 1790. An output of PFCstage 1790 is supplied as an input to an electronic switch 1800, whichreceives a control input from a pulse width modulation or resonancecontroller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760 which in turnreceives an input from a voltage sensor 1840 connected across the outputof power supply 1330.

Electronic switch 1800 is operative to modulate the voltage output ofPFC stage 1790 and to provide a voltage modulated output to atransformer 1810 which outputs via a rectifier 1820 and a DC outputfilter 1830. The output of DC output filter 1830, which is the output ofpower supply 1330, is supplied to an external PSC 1345, which receives acontrol input via the data portion 1520 of power bus 1210 from powerpooling controller 1230 (FIGS. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B), an input froma temperature sensor 1750, an input from voltage sensor 1840 connectedat the output of PSC 1345 and an input from a current sensor 1580connected at the output of PSC 1345 to sense the total output current.PSC 1345 has an additional connection to a current share bus 1570,connected to at least some of the PSCs 1340 and 1345 of other nodes ofthe system of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B. Such a power share busarrangement allows for immediate load balancing among the nodes of thesystem of FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, without any delay attributable to thereaction time of power pooling controller 1230. Temperature sensor 1750is operative to detect the operating temperature of internal powersupply 1330, thus providing data input useful in preventing earlyfailure of internal power supply 1330. PSC 1345 thus affects desiredpower sharing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, being adaptable by commands received from power poolingcontroller 1230 in real time to various operational modes of the system,and having immediate response to the operation of other nodes throughcurrent share bus 1570.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 25A–28B, which illustrate simplifiedschematic diagrams and output relationships implementing power sharingfunctionality among multiple power supplies in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, wherein conventional powersharing circuit is modified with the addition of a controller to enablethe power sharing functionality to be adapted in real time to variousoperational modes of the system.

In particular, FIG. 25A illustrates a simplified schematic illustrationof an embodiment of power supply 1330 of FIG. 24A. Power supply 1330comprises an EMI filter 1770 which receives AC mains power and providesan EMI filtered output to a diode bridge rectifier 1780. The diodebridge rectifier 1780 outputs to a PFC stage 1790. The output of PFCstage 1790 is fed as an input to electronic switch 1800 through a firstend of primary of transformer 1810. Electronic switch 1800 comprisespower transistor 1916, and the second end of the primary of transformer1810 is connected to the source of power transistor 1916.

Pulse width modulation or resonance controller 1760, generally powersupply controller 1760 comprises a saw tooth generator 1900, whichoutputs to an analog comparator 1902, which comparator also receives aninput from an analog error amplifier 1904. Analog error amplifier 1904receives a reference voltage via a resistor 1906 from a controllablereference voltage source 1908 associated with PSC 1340, and receives acontrol signal connected in parallel via a resistor 1910 from anoperational amplifier 1912 both associated with PSC 1340. Analog erroramplifier 1904 also receives a Vout sensing input from voltage outputsensor 1840 comprising an insulated opto-coupler 1914.

The output of analog comparator 1902 generates a pulse-width modulatedsignal, which is supplied at the output of pulse width modulation orresonance controller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760 to thegate of transistor 1916, at the input of electronic switch 1800.Transistor 1916 modulates the voltage output of PFC stage 1790 inaccordance with the output of analog comparator 1902, and provides avoltage modulated output across the secondary of transformer 1810 whichoutputs via a rectifier 1820 and a DC output filter 1830.

Operational amplifier 1912 associated with PSC 1340, receives an inputfrom current sensor 1580, which is connected at the drain of transistor1916 of switch 1800, and is seen to include a sensing resistor 1924connected between the drain of transistor 1916 of switch 1800 andground. Current sensor 1580 further comprises diode 1922 having itsanode connected at the drain of transistor 1916 of switch 1800, and aresistor 1918 and a capacitor 1920, connected in parallel to ground,connected to the cathode of diode 1922 representing the output ofcurrent sensor 1580. A controllable resistor 1926 associated with PSC1340, is interposed between the output of current sensor 1580 andoperational amplifier 1912 in order to enable control of thevoltage/current relationship of power supply 1330.

PSC 1340 further comprises a PSC controller 1928 which receives inputsfrom voltage sensor 1840 at the output of insulated opto-coupler 1914,current sensor 1580 and a temperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928provides a control signal output to controllable resistor 1926 and acontrol signal to controllable reference voltage source 1908. Inaddition, PSC controller 1928 communicates via data portion 1520 and thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 from power poolingcontroller 1230 (FIG. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B). Temperature sensor1750 is operative to detect the operating temperature of internal powersupply 1330, thus providing data input useful in preventing earlyfailure of internal power supply 1330. Power supply 1330 having PSC 1340thus affects desired power sharing in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, being adaptable by commandsreceived from power pooling controller 1230 in real time to variousoperational modes of the system.

FIG. 25B illustrates a high level schematic diagram of an embodiment ofPSC 1345 of FIG. 22B. The output of power supply 1330 is connected atthe input of PSC 1345 to the drain of a transistor 1946. An analog erroramplifier 1934 receives a reference voltage via a resistor 1936 from acontrollable reference voltage source 1908 and receives in parallel acontrol signal via a resistor 1940 from an operational amplifier 1942.Analog error amplifier 1934 also receives a Vout sensing input from afirst voltage sensor 1840, which preferably comprises a voltage dividerconnected at the source of transistor 1946 and acting as the output ofPSC 1345. The output of analog error amplifier 1934 controls the gate oftransistor 1946.

Operational amplifier 1942 receives an input from a current sensor 1580.A controllable resistor 1926 is interposed between current sensor 1580and operational amplifier 1942 in order to enable control of thevoltage/current relationship of PSC 1345. PSC 1345 further comprises aPSC controller 1928 which receives inputs from a second voltage sensor1840 connected at the output of PSC 1345, current sensor 1580 and atemperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928 provides a control signaloutput to controllable resistor 1926 and a control signal tocontrollable reference voltage source 1908. In addition, PSC controller1928 communicates via data portion 1520 and the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 from power pooling controller 1230 (FIG.17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B). Temperature sensor 1750 is operative todetect the operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thusproviding data input useful in preventing early failure of internalpower supply 1330. PSC 1345 thus affects desired power sharing inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, beingadaptable by commands received from power pooling controller 1230 inreal time to various operational modes of the system.

FIG. 25C illustrates a high power conversion efficiency alternative tothe circuitry of FIG. 25B, thus illustrating a high level schematicdiagram of an alternative embodiment of PSC 1345 of FIG. 22B. Pulsewidth modulation or resonance controller 1760, generally power supplycontroller 1760 comprises a saw tooth generator 1900 which outputs to ananalog comparator 1902, which comparator also receives an input from ananalog error amplifier 1904. Analog error amplifier 1904 receives areference voltage via a resistor 1978 from a controllable referencevoltage source 1908 and receives a control signal via a resistor 1982from an operational amplifier 1984. Analog error amplifier 1904 alsoreceives a Vout sensing input from first voltage sensor 1840 preferablycomprising a resistor divider network.

The output of analog comparator 1902 generates a pulse-width modulatedsignal which is supplied to a gate of transistor 1960 which modulatesthe voltage output of power supply 1330 connected to the drain oftransistor 1960, and provides a voltage modulated output to inductioncoil 1964, which outputs via rectifier 1966 and DC output filter 1968which are implemented connected between the input and output ends,respectively, of induction coil 1964 and ground. The output end ofinduction coil 1964 further serves as the output of PSC 1345.

Operational amplifier 1984 receives an input from current sensor 1580connected at the output of PSC 1345. A controllable resistor 1926 isinterposed between current sensor 1580 and operational amplifier 1984 inorder to enable control of the voltage/current relationship of the powersupply.

PSC controller 1928 receives inputs from second voltage sensor 1840connected at the output of PSC 1345, current sensor 1580 and atemperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928 provides a control signaloutput to controllable resistor 1926 and a control signal tocontrollable reference voltage source 1908. In addition, PSC controller1928 communicates via data portion 1520 and the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 from power pooling controller 1230 (FIG.17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B). Temperature sensor 1750 is operative todetect the operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thusproviding data input useful in preventing early failure of internalpower supply 1330. PSC 1345 thus affects desired power sharing inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, beingadaptable by commands received from power pooling controller 1230 inreal time to various operational modes of the system.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C, which illustrate thevoltage/current relationship provided by the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 25A–25C, in which the x-axis represents output current I_(out),and the y-axis represents voltage output V_(out). Turning initially toFIG. 26A, it is seen that a linear relationship, whose slope, defined asΔV/ΔI, is established and varied by the embodiments illustrated in eachof FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C. Thus, an initial relationship as illustratedby line 1990 having a first slope, may be changed to a relationshiphaving a steeper slope as illustrated by line 1994, or a relationshiphaving a shallower slope as illustrated by line 1992. The specificrelationship is realized by changing the voltage reference to an analogamplifier in each embodiment in response to the sensed output current.Various possible real-time modifications of the voltage currentrelationship in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventionare thus represented by various dashed lines in FIG. 26A. Thesemodifications are realized in the embodiments of FIGS. 25A–25C bycontrol signals provided by PSC controller 1928 to controllable voltagereference 1908 and to respective controllable resistor 1926. The presentinvention enables the relative contributions of the power suppliesengaged in current sharing to be modified in real time. This contrastswith conventional current sharing wherein the relative contributions ofthe power supplies are determined in advance.

FIG. 26B illustrates the behavior of a first of two power supplies ofthe types shown in any of FIGS. 25A–25C, and FIG. 26C illustrates thebehavior of a second of two power supplies when their output voltagesare connected in parallel to a load, thus establishing a common outputvoltage, V₁, with a shared output current. Line 1996 represents a firstrelationship of voltage and current for each of the first and secondpower supplies, illustrated in FIGS. 25B and 25C, respectively. Theoperation of PSC controller 1928 causes first power supply, as shown byline 1996 in FIG. 26B, to contribute 60% of its total output power and asecond power supply, as shown by line 1996 in FIG. 26C, to contribute20% of its total output power. It is a particular feature of the presentinvention that by controlling the voltage/current characteristics ofmultiple power supplies, which are connected in parallel, the relativecontribution of each power supply to the load may thus be governed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,under changed operating conditions, the controller functionality mayprescribe a different sharing, such as that illustrated in line 1998 ofFIGS. 26B and 26C, wherein the first power supply contributes 50% of itstotal output power, as illustrated by line 1998 of FIG. 26B, and thesecond power supply contributes 60 percent of its total output power, asillustrated by line 1998 of FIG. 26C.

FIG. 27A illustrates a high level schematic diagram of an embodiment ofpower supply 1330 of FIG. 24A. Power supply 1330 preferably comprises anEMI filter 1770, which receives AC mains power and provides an EMIfiltered output to a diode bridge rectifier 1780, which outputs to a PFCstage 1790. An output of PFC stage 1790 is connected to a first end ofthe primary of transformer 1810. Pulse width modulation or resonancecontroller 1760, generally power supply controller 1760 comprises a sawtooth generator 1900, which outputs to an analog comparator 1902, whichcomparator also receives an input from an analog error amplifier 1904.

Analog error amplifier 1904 receives a reference voltage via a resistor2006, associated with PSC 1340, from a controllable reference voltagesource 1908 and receives a control signal via a controllable resistor1926 from an operational amplifier 2012 also associated with PSC 1340.Analog error amplifier 1904 also receives a Vout sensing input fromvoltage sensor 1840, which includes an insulated opto-coupler 1914 andpreferably comprises a voltage divider network connected to the outputof power supply 1330.

The output of analog comparator 1902 generates a pulse-width modulatedsignal, which is supplied to the gate of a transistor 1916, formingelectronic switch 1800. The source of transistor 1916 is connected to asecond end of the primary of transformer 1810. Electronic switch 1800modulates the voltage output of PFC stage 1790 and provides a voltagemodulated output to transformer 1810 which outputs via a rectifier 1820and a DC output filter 1830, whose output represents the output of powersupply 1330.

Analog comparator 2012 associated with PSC 1340 receives an input fromcurrent sensor 1580, which is connected at the drain of transistor 1916of switch 1800, and is seen to include a sensing resistor 1924 connectedbetween the drain of transistor 1916 of switch 1800 and ground. Currentsensor 1580 further comprises diode 1922 having its anode connected atthe drain of transistor 1916 of switch 1800, and a resistor 1918 and acapacitor 1920, connected in parallel to ground, connected to thecathode of diode 1922 representing the output of current sensor 1580.Controllable resistor 1926, interposed between the output of analogcomparator 2012 and the input of analog error amplifier 1904 associatedwith pulse width modulator or resonance controller 1760 enables controlof the voltage/current relationship of the power supply. Analogcomparator 2012 also receives an input from the current sharing bus1570.

PSC 1340 further comprises an amplifier 2026, which receives an inputfrom current sensor 1580 and outputs a current sharing control signalvia a diode 2028 to a current share bus 1570 connected to other PSCs1340 and 1345 of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B. The combination ofamplifier 2026 and diode 2028 functions as an ideal diode.

PSC 1340 further comprises a PSC controller 1928 which receives inputsfrom voltage sensor 1840 at the output of insulated opto-coupler 1914,current sensor 1580 and a temperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928provides a control signal output to controllable resistor 1926 and acontrol signal to controllable reference voltage source 1908. Inaddition, PSC controller 1928 communicates via data portion 1520 tocommunicate via the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 withpower pooling controller 1230 (FIG. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B).Temperature sensor 1750 is operative to detect the operating temperatureof internal power supply 1330, thus providing data input useful inpreventing early failure of internal power supply 1330. Power supply1330 having PSC 1340 thus affects desired power sharing in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, being adaptable bycommands received from power pooling controller 1230 in real time tovarious operational modes of the system, and having immediate responseto the operation of other nodes through current share bus 1570.

FIG. 27B illustrates a high level schematic diagram of an embodiment ofPSC 1345 of FIG. 24B. The output of power supply 1330 is connected atthe input of PSC 1345 to the drain of a transistor 1946. An analog erroramplifier 1934 receives a reference voltage via a resistor 1936 from acontrollable reference voltage source 1908 and receives in parallel acontrol signal via a controllable resistor 1926 from an analogcomparator 2012. Analog amplifier 1934 also receives a Vout sensinginput from a first voltage sensor 1840, which preferably comprises avoltage divider connected at the source of transistor 1946, furtheracting as the output of PSC 1345. The output of analog amplifier 1934controls the gate of transistor 1946.

Analog comparator 2012 receives an input from a current sensor 1580connected at the output of PSC 1345. A controllable resistor 1926 isinterposed between analog comparator 2012 and analog error amplifier1934 in order to enable control of the voltage/current relationship ofPSC 1345. PSC 1345 further comprises an amplifier 2026, which receivesan input from current sensor 1580 and outputs a current sharing controlsignal via a diode 2028 to a current share bus 1570 connected to otherPSCs 1340 and 1345 of FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B. The combination ofamplifier 2026 and diode 2028 functions as an ideal diode. Analogcomparator 2012 also receives an input from the current sharing bus1570.

PSC 1345 further comprises a PSC controller 1928 which receives inputsfrom a second voltage sensor 1840 connected at the output of PSC 1345,current sensor 1580 and a temperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928provides a control signal output to controllable resistor 1926 and acontrol signal to controllable reference voltage source 1908. Inaddition, PSC controller 1928 communicates via data portion 1520 of theinternal bus and the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 withpower pooling controller 1230 (FIG. 17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B).Temperature sensor 1750 is operative to detect the operating temperatureof internal power supply 1330, thus providing data input useful inpreventing early failure of internal power supply 1330. PSC 1345 thusaffects desired power sharing in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention, being adaptable by commands received frompower pooling controller 1230 in real time to various operational modesof the system, and having immediate response to the operation of othernodes through current share bus 1570.

FIG. 27C illustrates a high power conversion efficiency alternative tothe circuitry of FIG. 27B, thus illustrating a high level schematicdiagram of an alternative embodiment of PSC 1345 of FIG. 24B. Pulsewidth modulation or resonance controller 1760, generally power supplycontroller 1760 comprises a saw tooth generator 1900 which outputs to ananalog comparator 1902, which comparator also receives an input from ananalog error amplifier 1904. Analog error amplifier 1904 receives areference voltage via a resistor 1978 from a controllable referencevoltage source 1908 and receives a control signal via a controllableresistor 1926 from an analog comparator 2012 in order to enable controlof the voltage/current relationship of PSC 1345. Analog error amplifier1904 also receives a Vout sensing input from first voltage sensor 1840preferably comprising a resistor divider network.

The output of analog comparator 1902 generates a pulse-width modulatedsignal which is supplied to a gate of transistor 1960 which modulatesthe voltage output of power supply 1330 connected to the drain oftransistor 1960, and provides a voltage modulated output to inductioncoil 1964, which outputs via rectifier 1966 and DC output filter 1968which are implemented connected between the input and output ends,respectively, of induction coil 1964 and ground. The output end ofinduction coil 1964 further serves as the output of PSC 1345.

Analog comparator 2012 receives an input from a current sensor 1580connected at the output of PSC 1345. PSC 1345 further comprises anamplifier 2026, which receives an input from current sensor 1580 andoutputs a current sharing control signal via a diode 2028 to a currentshare bus 1570 connected to other PSCs 1340 and 1345 of FIGS. 18A, 18B,19A and 19B. The combination of amplifier 2026 and diode 2028 functionsas an ideal diode. Analog comparator 2012 also receives an input fromthe current sharing bus 1570.

PSC controller 1928 receives inputs from second voltage sensor 1840connected at the output of PSC 1345, current sensor 1580 and atemperature sensor 1750. PSC controller 1928 provides a control signaloutput to controllable resistor 1926 and a control signal tocontrollable reference voltage source 1908. In addition, PSC controller1928 communicates via data portion 1520 and the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210 from power pooling controller 1230 (FIG.17, 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B). Temperature sensor 1750 is operative todetect the operating temperature of internal power supply 1330, thusproviding data input useful in preventing early failure of internalpower supply 1330. PSC 1345 thus affects desired power sharing inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, beingadaptable by commands received from power pooling controller 1230 inreal time to various operational modes of the system, and havingimmediate response to the operation of other nodes through current sharebus 1570.

FIG. 27D illustrates a high level block diagram of an embodiment ofcontroller 1928 (FIGS. 25A–25C, FIGS. 27A–27C). As seen in FIG. 27D,controller 1928 preferably comprises an internal communication bus 1650,which provides communication between a communication interface 1660,which in turn communicates with the data portion of internal bus 1520, amemory 1670, which in a preferred embodiment is a non-volatile memoryoperable to retain a history of operating parameters, and acceptableoperating ranges, control logic 1680 and a control line interface 2090which is operative to connect to controllable reference voltage 1908,controllable resistor 1926 as well as connect to current sensor 1580,voltage sensor 1840 and temperature sensor 1750.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C, which illustrate thevoltage/current relationship provided by the embodiments of FIGS.27A–27C. Turning initially to FIG. 28A in which the x-axis representsoutput current and the y-axis represents output voltage, it is seen thata fixed voltage over a broad range of current is established provided inthe embodiments shown in each of FIGS. 27A, 27B and 27C. This fixedvoltage, as illustrated by line 2050, may be varied by changing thevoltage reference to an analog amplifier in each embodiment in responseto the sensed output current. Various possible real-time modificationsof the voltage current relationship in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention are represented by various lines drawn 2060,2070 and 2080 shown in FIG. 28A. The present invention enables therelative contributions of the power supplies engaged in current sharingto be modified in real time. This contrasts with conventional currentsharing wherein the relative contributions of the power supplies aredetermined in advance.

FIGS. 28B and 28C illustrates the behavior of two power supplies of thetypes shown in any of FIGS. 27A–27C, when their output voltages areconnected in parallel to a load, in which the x-axis is used to displaythe different power supplies, and the y-axis represents percentage ofavailable power being supplied being supplied by the power supply. FIG.28B illustrates an initial operating point, set under command of powerpooling controller 1230 operating over the data portion ofbi-directional power share bus 1210, in which a first power supplycontributes 20% of its total available power, while a second powersupply contributes 40% of its total available power. FIG. 28Cillustrates a later stage, set under command of power pooling controller1230 operating over the data portion of bi-directional power share bus1210, in which the first power supply contributes 40% of its totalavailable power, while a second power supply contributes 20% of itstotal available power.

It is to be noted that FIGS. 25A–28C illustrate only a few examples ofpower sharing modalities in which the present invention is applied. Itis appreciated that the present invention is not limited to these twoexamples and is applicable to any suitable power sharing modality.

Reference is now made to FIG. 29, which is a simplified high level flowchart illustrating the operation of power pooling controller 1230 ofFIGS. 17–19B. Upon receiving power, power pooling controller 1230carries out an initialization stage 3000, which is described hereintobelow with reference to FIG. 30. If a new node is connected, powerpooling controller 1230 carries out stage 3010, which is furtherdetailed hereinto below with reference to FIG. 31. If a node isdisconnected, power pooling controller 1230 carries out stage 3020,which is further detailed hereinto below with reference to FIG. 32. If afault situation arises during operation, power pooling controller 1230carries out stage 3040, which is further detailed hereinto below withreference of FIG. 33. During normal continuous operation, power poolingcontroller 1230 carries out stage 3030, which is further detailedhereinto below with reference to FIG. 34.

Reference is now made to FIG. 30, which is a simplified flow chartillustrating the initialization phase in the operation of power poolingcontroller 1230 as described above in relation to stage 3000 of FIG. 29.In stage 3100, control logic 1680 of FIG. 21D is initialized. In stage3110, following initialization of control logic 1680 within powerpooling controller 1230, a built in test procedure is run. In stage3120, communication interface 1660 of FIG. 21D is initialized, and thedata portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 is initialized. In stage3130, all SIU 1300 on bi-directional power bus 1210 are set to aninitial “off-state” In a preferred embodiment, SIU 1300 is implementedwith hardware having an initial off mode, thus initially any nodesconnected to bi-directional power bus 1210 operate independently withouttransmitting power to or receiving power from bi-directional power bus1210.

In stage 3140, power pooling controller 1230 then communicates with afirst of a plurality of data communication nodes, such as nodes 1102,1104, 1106, 1108, 1140 and 1240 in FIG. 17. In stage 3150, power poolingcontroller 1230 interrogates PSC controller 1928 of FIGS. 25A–25C and27A–27C. Power pooling controller 1230 interrogates PSC controller 1928in order to determine its operational status and its operationalparameters. Preferably, PSC controller 1928 comprises local non-volatilememory operable for storage of status, operational parameters, andpreferably historical information. Optionally, in stage 3160 the datacommunication node is assigned a group address, to enable high speeddata communication by groups in addition to the nodes specific addresson bi-directional power bus 1210.

In stage 3170 the nodes that have been communicated with are comparedwith the total number of nodes connected. In the event that additionalnodes have not yet been interrogated, in stage 3180 a node counter isincremented and stage 3140 is again implemented. In the event that instage 3170 no further nodes were identified that have not beeninterrogated, in stage 3190 the program returns to the main routine asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 illustrates a high level flow chart of the operation of powerpooling controller 1230 in the event that a new node has been added tothe system. A new node is detected as being added to the system eitheras a result of the initialization routine 3000 of FIG. 30, or as aresult of normal operation of stage 3030 of FIG. 29. In stage 3300,power pooling controller 1230 evaluates whether it is possible toconnect the new node inter alia by comparing power requirements of thenew node with power availability in the system. As described above,available power in the system comprises power available from power buspower supply modules 1300, internal power supplies 1330 of power spinemodule 1122, and any excess power available from attached nodesshareable through SIU 1300, and optionally OPC 1450 by operation of PSC1340 or PSC 1345 under command of power pooling controller 1230. In apreferred embodiment, power pooling controller 1230 is programmed tomaintain a power reserve equal to or greater than the largest singlepower supply 1330 connected, thus acting as a reserve power supply.

In the event that in stage 3310 it is deemed that it is not possible toreliably connect the new node, in stage 3330 notification of the faultis sent to both the node over the data portion of bi-directional powerbus 1210 and to a connected management station 1040 of FIG. 11–17 overLAN/WAN 1022.

In the event that in stage 3310 it is deemed that the new node is deemedto be suitable for connection, in stage 3340 the voltage and current onbi-directional power bus 1210 are noted and in accordance therewith. Instage 3350 parameters of PSC 1340 or 1345 in the newly added node areset. In stage 3360, PSC 1340 or 1345 of the newly attached node isinterrogated to report on current, voltage and optionally temperatureparameters, to ensure that compliance with the parameters sent in stage3340 is within the operational capability of PSC 1340 or 1345. In apreferred embodiment, PSC 1340 or 1345 comprises non-volatile memory,operable to store historical operating parameters. In stage 3365compliance by the newly attached node as indicated by PSC controller1928 through the data portion of bi-directional power bus 1210 isconfirmed. In the event that in stage 3365 the operating parameters ofthe newly attached node are outside of the acceptable range, in stage3370 a fault condition is indicated, and the fault routine of FIG. 33 isrun.

In the event that in stage 3365 the operating parameters are confirmedto be within the operating capabilities of PSC 1340, 1345 of the newlydetected node, in stage 3380 the associated SIU 1300 is set in line withthe parameters set in stage 3340 and the new node is powered. In anexemplary embodiment, SIU controller 1620 of SIU 1300 is set with thedirection and current limit of the power to be shared from or to thenewly attached node.

In stage 3390 voltage and current on bi-directional power bus 1210 underoperation of the newly connected node is checked, and the resultsreported to power pooling controller 1230. In stage 3400 the resultsreported in stage 3390 are analyzed to ensure proper operation ofbi-directional power bus 1210 within acceptable operating parameters. Inthe event that in stage 3400 bi-directional power bus 1210 operatingparameters are not within the acceptable range, in stage 3410 a faultcondition is noted, and the fault routine as described in relation toFIG. 33 is run.

In the event that in stage 3400 the operating parameters ofbi-directional power bus 1210 are within the acceptable range, in stage3420 normal mode operation as described above in relation to FIG. 29,and as will be described further hereinto below in relation to FIG. 34is resumed.

It is to be noted that the successful operation of the flow chart ofFIG. 31, enables certain functionality not available to the prior art.In particular, as described above, reserve power supply functionality isavailable based on the overall power supply in the system, without therequirement for a specific dedicated stand-by power supply. Furthermore,add-power functionality, which allows a node to consume more power thanis available from its internal power source is enabled. Furthermore, adistributed UPS functionality is enabled from any battery back up in thesystem to any node in the system.

FIG. 32 illustrates a high level flow chart of the operation of powerpooling controller 1230 in the event of a disconnection of a node, asdescribed above in relation to stage 3020 of FIG. 29. In stage 3500, theparameters of SIU 1300 associated with the disconnected node are set tooff. In a preferred embodiment, SIU controller 1620 of FIG. 21C isaddressed to open both first and second controllable switch 1590 so asto ensure that no current slows to/from the disconnected node.

In stage 3510 current through SIU 1300 is measured. In a preferredembodiment, SIU controller 1620 is polled to read first and secondcurrent sensor 1600. In stage 3520 the actual current sensed is comparedwith zero. In the event that in stage 3520 the current sensed is notzero, in stage 3540 a fault condition is noted, and the fault routine asdescribed above in relation to stage 3040 of FIG. 29 and as will bedescribed further hereinto below in relation to FIG. 33 is run. In theevent that in stage 3520 the current is zero, in stage 3530 normal modeoperation as described above in relation to FIG. 29, and as will bedescribed further hereinto below in relation to FIG. 34 is resumed.

FIG. 33 illustrates a high level flow chart of the operation of powerpooling controller 1230 in the event of a fault condition being noted,as described above in relation to stage 3040 of FIG. 29. In stage 3600the fault condition parameters are evaluated, and in stage 3610 thefault condition parameters are compared with predetermined criteria. Inthe event that the fault condition falls within the predeterminedcriteria a management report is prepared and transmitted to managementstation 1040 of FIGS. 11–17 over LAN/WAN 1022. In stage 3620, a secondset of pre-determined criteria are examined, to determine whether anautomatic retry functionality is to be attempted. If an automatic retryis to be attempted, the program returns to the fault calling programwith instructions to retry. In the event that a retry has failed, or instage 3620 no retry is indicated, in stage 3630 the associated SIU 1300is shut down. In stage 3640 normal mode operation as described above inrelation to FIG. 29, and as will be described further hereinto below inrelation to FIG. 34 is resumed.

FIG. 34 illustrates a high level flow chart of the operation of powerpooling controller 1230 in normal mode, as described above in relationto stage 3030 of FIG. 29. In stage 3700, the operating voltage ofbi-directional power bus 1210 and the operating voltage of internal bus1350 of each connected active node is monitored to ensure properoperation within operating parameters. In stage 3710 current anddirection of each SIU 1300 is monitored.

In stage 3720, based on the information obtained in stages 3700 and 3710the load on each connected power supply is evaluated in real time.Internal power supplies 1330 of attached nodes, any internal powersupply 1330 units, power supply 1330 of power bus power supply module1140 and battery pack 1108 are all monitored. In stage 3730, thetemperature of all power supply 1330 units are monitored, as indicatedby temperature sensor 1750 connected to PSC controller 1928 andtransmitter to power pooling controller 1230 of the data portion ofbi-directional power bus 1210. In stage 3740 the mains power of eachunit is monitored.

In stage 3750, the actual load on each of the power supplies connectedto the system and available over bi-directional power share bus 1210 isevaluated, and in stage 3760 an optimization algorithm adjusts PSC 1340,1345 and the associated SIU 1300 accordingly, thus achieving real timeadjustment and optimization of all associated power supplies. In apreferred embodiment, the optimization algorithm comprises optimizingload sharing, heat distribution, battery support time and overallefficiency.

In stage 3770, any changes sent in stage 3760 to PSC 1340, 1345 areevaluated in real time based on feedback communicated from SIU 1300 andPSC 1340, 1345. In the event that operation is not optimum, stage 3760is rerun to reoptimize. In stage 3780, a log is kept of all activitiesand instructions, and selected telemetry comprising selected operatingparameters are sent over LAN/WAN 1022 to management station 1040.

FIG. 35 illustrates a high level flow chart of an addressing system inaccordance with the principle of the subject invention. As indicatedabove, each node is provided with both an address, and a group number.Preferably, multiple nodes are provided with the same group number. Inthis manner, multiple nodes are addressed over a serial bus rapidly inthe event of certain conditions, thus avoiding the need to individuallyaddress each node. In one non-limiting embodiment, in the event of afailure of a DC power source in a single node, pooling controller 1230reacts by sending a group message to a plurality of nodes setting themto an emergency power mode. In one embodiment the emergency power modecomprises a reduced power demand of the electrical load of the node, andin another embodiment the reduced power mode comprises an increasedpower output of the associated DC power source of the node. In oneembodiment reduced power demand of the electrical load of the node isaccomplished by removing power from low priority loads. Preferably, thenode is operable to notify the pooling controller of the failure of theDC power source of the node. In an exemplary embodiment, the use ofgroup addressing allows for a response to a failure event within 10milliseconds, thus avoiding any damage caused by an interruption inpower. In one embodiment a failure is defined as an increase intemperature of a DC power source above a pre-set limit.

In stage 3900, a message, comprising an address, is received, and instage 3910 the address of the message is compared with the node address.In the event that the address matches the node address, in stage 3920the message is acted upon. In the event that in stage 3910 the addressdoes not match the node address, in stage 3930 the address is comparedto the group address assigned to the node. In the event that in stage3930 the address matches the group address, in stage 3940 the node actson the message. In the event that in stage 3930 the address does notmatch the group address, in stage 3950 the message is discarded. Such agroup addressing system allows power pooling controller 1230 to groupaddress a message requiring immediate action by multiple nodes in realtime, without requiring individual nodes to be addressed. For example,in the event of a catastrophic power failure in the power supply 1330 ofone or more nodes, power pooling controller 1230 may address all nodesin a specific group address to go to a power saving mode, and mayaddress all nodes in a separate group address to maximize their poweroutput. Alternatively, a single group address may be utilized tomaximize the power output of some units, and place other units in areduced power requirement mode, without exceeding the scope of theinvention.

Thus the present invention provides for a system of power pooling of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities being interconnectedto pool power under control of a pooling controller.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methodssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods aredescribed herein.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, willprevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples areillustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and includes both combinations andsubcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well asvariations and modifications thereof which would occur to personsskilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which arenot in the prior art.

1. A DC power pooling system, comprising: a plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities, each of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities having at least afirst operative mode in which it may provide more electrical power thanit consumes and a second operative mode in which it may consume moreelectrical power than it provides, wherein each of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities comprises at least oneDC electrical power source and at least one electrical power load; DCelectrical power interconnections, interconnecting said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities and permittingelectrical power flow thereto and therefrom; and at least one poolingcontroller operative to vary at least one of voltage, output impedanceand current of electrical power provided by at least one of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities.
 2. ADC power pooling system according to claim 1, wherein said DC electricalpower source receives AC mains power and converts said AC mains power toDC electrical power.
 3. A DC power pooling system according to claim 1,further comprising at least one power sharing circuit associated withsaid at least one DC electrical power source, said at least one powersharing circuit being responsive to an output of said at least onepooling controller to vary said at least one of voltage, outputimpedance and current of electrical power provided by said at least oneDC electrical power source.
 4. A DC power pooling system according toclaim 3, wherein said at least one DC electrical power source comprisesa power supply controller, and wherein said at least one power sharingcircuit is operable to modify the operation of said power supplycontroller.
 5. A DC power pooling system according to claim 1, whereinsaid pooling controller receives for each of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities information relatingto DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities.
 6. A DC power pooling system according to claim 1, whereinsaid pooling controller receives at least one of power needs of said atleast one electrical power load and power providing capabilities of saidat least one DC electrical power source.
 7. A DC power pooling systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a supply interface unitassociated with at least one of said DC electrical powerinterconnections, said supply interface unit being responsive to anoutput of said at least one pooling controller to control saidelectrical power flow.
 8. A DC power pooling system according to claim7, wherein said supply interface unit comprises at least one adjustablecurrent limiter responsive to an output of said at least one poolingcontroller, said at least one adjustable current limiter being operativefor limiting at least one of said electrical power flow to at least oneof said plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities and from at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities.
 9. A DC power pooling system accordingto claim 7, wherein said supply interface unit comprises at least onecurrent sensor, said at least one current sensor being operative forsensing at least one of said electrical power flow to at least one ofsaid plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiesand from at least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities.
 10. A DC power pooling system according to claim9, wherein said supply interface unit comprises a telemetry outputoperable to communicate with said at least one pooling controller, saidtelemetry output comprising information regarding at least one ofdirection and extent of electrical power flow.
 11. A DC power poolingsystem according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality ofDC electrical power consuming and providing entities comprises atemperature sensor having a temperature indicating output, wherein saidat least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities communicates information regarding said temperatureindicating output to said at least one pooling controller.
 12. A DCpower pooling system according to claim 3, wherein power sharing circuitcomprises a temperature sensor having a temperature indicating output,said at least one power sharing circuit being operable to communicateinformation regarding said temperature indicating output to said atleast one pooling controller.
 13. A DC power pooling system according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities comprises at least one of a modem, aswitch, a switch providing power over Ethernet, an Internet Protocoltelephone, a computer, a server, a camera, an access controller, a smokesensor and a wireless access point.
 14. A DC power pooling systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising an overcurrent protectioncircuit associated with at least one of said DC electrical powerinterconnections.
 15. A DC power pooling system according to claim 14,wherein said overcurrent protection circuit comprises at least one of afuse and a circuit breaker operative to prevent excess power flow.
 16. ADC power pooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a powersupply module interconnected with at least one of said DC electricalpower interconnections, said power supply module being operative tosupply power to at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities when said at least one of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities isoperative in said second mode.
 17. A DC power pooling system accordingto claim 1, further comprising a power supply module interconnected withat least one of said DC electrical power interconnections, and whereinsaid power supply module is operative in response to an output of saidat least one pooling controller to supply power to at least one of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities whensaid at least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities is operative in said second mode.
 18. A DC powerpooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a battery packmodule interconnected with at least one of said DC electrical powerinterconnections, and wherein said battery pack module supplies power toat least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities when said at least one of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities is operative in saidsecond mode.
 19. A DC power pooling system according to claim 1, whereinsaid DC electrical power interconnections are arranged in one of ahierarchical star topology and a hierarchical ring topology.
 20. Amethod of DC power pooling comprising: providing a plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities, each of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities havingat least a first operative mode in which it may provide more electricalpower than it consumes and a second operative mode in which it mayconsume more electrical power than it provides, wherein each of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entitiescomprises at least one DC electrical power source and at least oneelectrical power load; providing at least one pooling controller;interconnecting said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities thereby permitting electrical power flow thereto andtherefrom; and varying at least one of voltage, output impedance andcurrent of electrical power provided by at least one of said pluralityof DC electrical power consuming and providing entities in response toan output of said at least one pooling controller thereby enabling DCpower pooling.
 21. A method of DC power pooling according to claim 20,further comprising: receiving AC mains power by said each of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities;converting said AC mains power to DC power; and providing said DC powerto said at least one electrical power load located in said each of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities.
 22. Amethod of DC power pooling according to claim 20, further comprising:providing at least one power sharing circuit associated with said atleast one DC electrical power source, and wherein said varying isaccomplished by said at least one power sharing circuit.
 23. A method ofDC power pooling according to claim 22, wherein said at least one DCelectrical power source comprises a power supply controller, and whereinsaid varying is accomplished by modifying the operation of said powersupply controller.
 24. A method of DC power pooling according to claim20, further comprising: receiving for each of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities information relatingto DC electrical power needs and DC electrical power providingcapabilities, wherein said varying is accomplished at least partially inresponse to said received information.
 25. A method of DC power poolingaccording to claim 20, further comprising: receiving by said poolingcontroller at least one of power needs of said at least one electricalpower load and power providing capabilities of said at least one DCelectrical power source.
 26. A method of DC power pooling according toclaim 20, further comprising: providing a supply interface unitassociated with at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities; and controlling said electrical powerflow in response to an output of said at least one pooling controller.27. A method of DC power pooling according to claim 26, wherein saidcontrolling comprises: limiting at least one of said electrical powerflow to at least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consumingand providing entities and from at least one of said plurality of DCelectrical power consuming and providing entities.
 28. A method of DCpower pooling according to claim 26, further comprising: sensing atleast one of said electrical power flow to at least one of saidplurality of DC electrical power and consuming entities and from atleast one of said plurality of DC electrical power and consumingentities.
 29. A method of DC power pooling according to claim 28,further comprising: communicating information relating to at least oneof direction and amount of electrical power flow sensed by said sensingto said at least one pooling controller.
 30. A method of DC powerpooling according to claim 20, further comprising: sensing a temperatureof at least one said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities; and communicating information relating to saidsensed temperature to said at least one pooling controller.
 31. A methodof DC power pooling according to claim 22, further comprising: sensing atemperature of said at least one DC electrical power source;communicating information relating to said sensed temperature to said atleast one pooling controller.
 32. A method of DC power pooling accordingto claim 20, wherein at least one of said plurality of DC electricalpower consuming and providing entities comprises at least one of amodem, a switch, a switch providing power over Ethernet, an InternetProtocol telephone, a computer, a server, a camera, an accesscontroller, a smoke sensor and a wireless access point.
 33. A method ofDC power pooling according to claim 20, further comprising: protectingat least one of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming andproviding entities against excess electrical power flow.
 34. A method ofDC power pooling according to claim 33, wherein said protectingcomprises: providing at least one of a fuse and a circuit breakeroperative to prevent excess electrical power flow.
 35. A method of DCpower pooling according to claim 20, further comprising: providing apower supply module; interconnecting said power supply module with saidinterconnected plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities; and supplying power from said power supply module to at leastone of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities when said at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities is operative in said second mode.
 36. Amethod of DC power pooling according to claim 20, further comprising:providing a power supply module; interconnecting said power supplymodule with said interconnected plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities; and supplying power from said powersupply module in response to an output of said at least one poolingcontroller to at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities when said at least one of saidplurality of DC electrical power consuming and providing entities isoperative in said second mode.
 37. A method of DC power poolingaccording to claim 20, further comprising: providing a battery packmodule; interconnecting said battery pack module with saidinterconnected plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities; and supplying power from said battery pack module to at leastone of said plurality of DC electrical power consuming and providingentities when said at least one of said plurality of DC electrical powerconsuming and providing entities is operative in said second mode.
 38. Amethod of DC power pooling according to claim 20, wherein saidinterconnecting is done in one of a hierarchical star topology and ahierarchical ring topology.